Can someone please explain the elevator paradox?

In summary, the conversation discusses the elevator paradox and the difficulty of finding a simple explanation for it on Wikipedia. The elevator paradox involves the probability of an elevator being above or below someone waiting for it, and how this relates to the direction the elevator will come from.
  • #1
Nerdydude101
54
0
I tried searching it up but the only good place i found was wikipedia that actually talked about it and i hate wikipedia because it tries to explain complex things in complex ways instead of making them simple. Thanks!
 
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  • #2
What is the elevator paradox?
 
  • #4
Yeah
 
  • #6
This paradox really isn't complicated. Assume that when you arrive and begin to wait for the elevator the elevator is on a random floor in the building (for simplicity assume equal probability of being on each floor). If the elevator is randomly above you then it will have to come down to get you, if it is randomly below you then it will have to come up to get you. If there are more floors above you than below you then the probability of it being above is greater than the probability of it being below and therefore the probability of a downwards elevator is greater than an upwards elevator.
 

1. What is the elevator paradox?

The elevator paradox is a thought experiment that explores the concept of relativity in physics. It involves a person in an elevator moving at a constant speed and the effects of gravity on their perception of time and space.

2. How does the elevator paradox demonstrate relativity?

The elevator paradox demonstrates relativity by showing that an observer's perception of time and space can be affected by their relative motion and the effects of gravity. In the elevator paradox, the person in the elevator experiences time and space differently than an outside observer due to their motion and the gravitational forces acting on them.

3. What are the key elements of the elevator paradox?

The key elements of the elevator paradox include a person in a closed elevator, the elevator moving at a constant speed, and the effects of gravity on the person's perception of time and space. Additionally, the paradox explores the concept of relative motion and the idea that there is no absolute frame of reference in the universe.

4. How does the elevator paradox relate to Einstein's theory of relativity?

The elevator paradox is a thought experiment that helps to illustrate some of the key concepts of Einstein's theory of relativity. It demonstrates how an observer's perception of time and space can be influenced by their relative motion and the effects of gravity, which are central ideas in Einstein's theory.

5. Can the elevator paradox be observed in real life?

While the elevator paradox is a thought experiment, its principles can be observed in real life. For example, time dilation, which is a key aspect of the paradox, has been demonstrated through experiments with atomic clocks and high-speed travel. Additionally, the effects of gravity on time have been observed through gravitational time dilation in objects with strong gravitational fields, such as black holes.

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