P31. A Problem With Simultaneity

The purpose of this problem is to examine the situation described in this reading.  First, review the problem as presented on p. 617 of the reading by answering the following.

  1. Where is each observer with respect to their own train car?

  2. Which way is O1 moving?

  3. Whose reference frame do we place ourselves in?

  4. Where do the lightning bolts strike?

  5. For which observer do the bolts strike simultaneously?

  6. How does the speed of the lightning bolts in O1's frame compare to that in O2's frame?

  7. Which bolt does O1 see first?

  8. How does O2 explain what O1 sees?

  9. Which observer has the correct description?

  10. Why don't we normally notice discrepancies in the times that events occur as reported by observers moving at different velocities with respect to each other?

Now re-examine the situation by placing yourself in the reference frame of O1. See the last paragraph on p. 618. Answer the following.

  1. Which way is O2 moving?

  2. As before, O1 sees one bolt arrive before the other. How does O1 explain the fact that O2 sees the bolts arrive simultaneously?