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Re: A Question of Simultaneity



If you know how to do it draw a space-time diagram where light world-lines
are 45 degree in orientation to the x and t axes.

The point where the two photons meet is the simultaneous triggering of the
detecter, note that for that event delta x and delta t for the events of the
photons arriving at the detector are zero.

Next in another frame of reference what are delta x and delta t

Again, if you know it apply the lorentz transformation and you see that the
new frames delta is a linear combination of the old frames delta x and delta
t which are zero and therefore the new delta t is zero.

Perhaps more simply put if two events are in fact at the same space-time
point they will be at the same space-time point in any frame of reference,
therefore delta t will still be zero.

Joel Rauber

Perhaps another can say this in easier to understand words.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas McCarthy [mailto:tmccarthy@SPS.EDU]
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 12:29 PM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: A Question of Simultaneity


Hello,
If two flashes of light appear simultaneous and
consequently trigger
a response, how does the non-silultaneous nature as viewed
from another
frame explain the occur of the same response, yet the light
is not seen
to impinge upon the trigger at the same time? Thanks.
Tom McCarthy