Girl Reaches 99.9% of Train's Speed Despite Time Slowing Down

In summary: This is due to the effects of relativity on time and distance measurements. In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of time dilation and length contraction in relation to a fictional train traveling at 99.9% of the speed of light. From an outsider's perspective, the little girl running inside the train will never reach the speed of light due to these effects, but from her own perspective, everything appears normal. Additionally, the conversation briefly touches on the effects of relativity on velocities at very high speeds.
  • #1
Grimstone
66
0
I was watching a vid with Mr Hawking talking about a train (fictional) that gets to 99.9 C.
and the little girl gets up and runs forward. "as time in the train has slowed down. her momentum is not added to that of the trains speed. So she never reaches C"

A. trains %99.9 of C
B. time inside the train slows down.
C. the girls speed IS added to the trains but because time slowed down Even more? she can't hit C?

Tomcat does mach2 fires a sidewinder that does mach2. for a short bit. that winder IS doing mach4.
so why is Suzie's speed not added to the trains and thus she is moving faster than the train.

PLEASE KEEP THE ANSWER SIMPLE. I'M STUPID.
 
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  • #2
It' because not only does the girl's clock run slower, but also, for an outside observer, all distances within the train are contracted. Such she can never reach c.
 
  • #3
Markus Hanke said:
It' because not only does the girl's clock run slower, but also, for an outside observer, all distances within the train are contracted. Such she can never reach c.

but from a insiders view?
 
  • #4
Grimstone said:
but from a insiders view?

From the insiders view, everything is normal, everything is moving at appears to be normal speed, light is still measured to be moving at c, and the little girl is running at normal little girl running speed.
 
  • #5
Grimstone said:
but from a insiders view?

From an inside view the train is not moving at all, it is at rest. So the little girl would be running at 5-10 MPH.
 
  • #6
Grimstone said:
C. the girls speed IS added to the trains but because time slowed down Even more? she can't hit C?
Correct; her speed is added to the train's, but non-linearly. I.e. [itex] v \neq v_\textrm{train} + v_\textrm{suzie} [/itex]

Grimstone said:
Tomcat does mach2 fires a sidewinder that does mach2. for a short bit. that winder IS doing mach4.
The sidewinder would actually be going very (very very) close to mach 4, but not quite. At very small velocities, the effects of relativity are very (very very) small, and thus [itex] v \approx v_\textrm{tomcat} + v_\textrm{sidewinder}[/itex]

Grimstone said:
so why is Suzie's speed not added to the trains and thus she is moving faster than the train.
The closer the velocities get to the speed of light the less effectively they add together.
 

1. How is it possible for a girl to reach 99.9% of a train's speed?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, as an object approaches the speed of light, time slows down for that object. This means that from the perspective of someone on the train, the girl's perception of time is slowed down, allowing her to reach a higher speed than expected.

2. What factors contribute to the girl's ability to reach such a high speed?

There are several factors at play in this scenario. The girl's own speed and acceleration, the speed and acceleration of the train, and the speed of light all play a role in her ability to reach 99.9% of the train's speed.

3. How does time slowing down affect the girl's perception of the journey?

Since time is slowed down for the girl, she would experience the journey as taking a shorter amount of time than it would for someone on the train. For example, if the train ride normally takes 1 hour, for the girl it may only feel like a few minutes have passed.

4. What other effects of time slowing down may the girl experience?

In addition to perceiving time differently, the girl may also experience length contraction, where objects in the direction of motion appear shorter to her. She may also experience time dilation, where events appear to happen slower for her compared to someone on the train.

5. Is this scenario possible in real life or is it purely theoretical?

While it may seem like a far-fetched concept, the effects of time dilation and length contraction have been proven through various experiments and observations. So while this specific scenario may not be possible in reality, the concepts behind it are supported by scientific evidence.

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