# Clock synchonization in relativity

1. Jan 16, 2006

### Demian^^

I'm a bit confused about a statement in my course on relativity. I have a system S' that is moving with a direction v (in the x'-direction) compared to the system S, so the following transformation formula holds:
t = gamma*(t'+vx'/c^2)
The textbook now goes on to say (translated from dutch.. possibly poorly):
"Clocks that are synchronized in S (t=constant) will be delayed more (t'=smaller) as their distance along the x' axis increases."
Indeed, I agree that t' will be smaller, as x' increases. However, I was wondering the following. If at a time t in S all the clocks give a short lightflash or something, to show for instance that it's twelve o'clock, then in the S' system this flash will be seen at a time t' at a location x'. Now, in S' the lightflash will be seen sooner (t' smaller) as x' increases, so an observer in S' will conclude that as x' increases the clock actually runs more and more ahead, knowing that the flash means '12 o'clock' and that that '12 o'clock'-signal happens first for larger x'.
Is the statement in my course-book therefore wrong or am I messing something up? (probably the second, but I've thought this through a number of times now and I can't seem to figure it out)

2. Jan 16, 2006

### Staff: Mentor

The question really is: For events that occur simultaneously in S (the S clocks all strike 12 noon, for example) when do they occur according to S'?

$$\Delta t' = \gamma(\Delta t - v\Delta x/c^2)$$
Since $\Delta t = 0$, this tells you that according to S' a clock at position x (x > 0) in S will strike noon before a clock at the origin (x = 0). ($\Delta t'$ will be negative.)
$$T = Dv/c^2$$.