porcupinetree
not actually a porcupine
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2014
- Messages
- 664
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2015
I have read many sources concerning the relativity of simultaneity, and have come to the following conclusion:
If matches are struck (or an equivalent event) inside the train, the observer on the train will see the events as simultaneous whereas the observer outside will not see them as simultaneous.
If lighting strikes (or an equivalent event) the outside of the train when the observers are opposite each other, the outside observer will see them as simultaneous while the inside observer will not.
I use the word 'train' because virtually all simultaneity questions I have seen involve a train.
So basically, to determine which observer observes the events as simultaneous (or not), you must consider which frame of reference the event(s) is occurring in.
Is this correct?
If matches are struck (or an equivalent event) inside the train, the observer on the train will see the events as simultaneous whereas the observer outside will not see them as simultaneous.
If lighting strikes (or an equivalent event) the outside of the train when the observers are opposite each other, the outside observer will see them as simultaneous while the inside observer will not.
I use the word 'train' because virtually all simultaneity questions I have seen involve a train.
So basically, to determine which observer observes the events as simultaneous (or not), you must consider which frame of reference the event(s) is occurring in.
Is this correct?