Does Special Relativity Affect Light Travel Time Between Moving Points?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of special relativity on light travel time between moving points A', B', and C' in different reference frames. In frame S', the arrival time difference of a light flash from B' to A' and C' is confirmed to be zero. However, in frame S, due to the relative motion of A' and C' with respect to the light beam, the light reaches A' before C'. This conclusion is derived from applying Lorentz transformations to calculate the time differences accurately.

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Suppose that A', B' and C' are at rest in frame S', which moves with respect to S at a speed v=056*c in the +x direction. Let B' be located exactly midway between A' and C' in S', with A' and C' 10000 km apart; all are on the x-axis. At t'=0, a light flash occurs at B' and expands outward as a spherical wave. What is the magntidue of the difference in the arrival times of the flash wave at A' and C' in frame S' and S.

I know for sure that in frame S', the magnitude of the difference is 0. But should it also be the same in frame S since it takes the same amount of time for the light flash to travel to both A and C, which are the same distance apart?

Thanks.
 
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Well, the light does travel at c in S, but since A' approaches the light beam and C' moves away from it, you'd expect the beam to reach A' first as seen from S (Assuming A'<B'<C').

But this is using intuition, just do the calculation using Lorentz tranformations.
 

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