Re: Causation in Physics: F=ma

[Stephen Speicher <stephen@SPEICHER.COM>]

On Sat, 15 Nov 2003, Brian Whatcott wrote:
> Supposing I can point to a causal event that is simultaneous
> with a resulting event in some frame,

"Supposing" such is a contradiction of special relativity --
there cannot be a causal connection between space-like events.
For two events to be causally related a signal must be sent from
one event to the other, and special relativity places a finite
limit on the speed of the signal. All observers will agree on the
temporal ordering of two causally related events.

> it looks as though Steven

My name is "Stephen," not "Steven."

>   is the person to explain why
> "The relativity of simultaneity"  just ain't so?

The fact that in special relativity the speed of physical signals
are limited by c, implies the invariance of causality.  This fact
does not contradict the relativity of simultaneity. Please see
any decent introductory text on special relativity for a detailed
discussion of this.

--
Stephen
stephen@speicher.com

Ignorance is just a placeholder for knowledge.

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