Is My Intuition About Event Timing on a Moving Airplane Wrong?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relativistic effects of event timing as perceived from a moving airplane. Two events, A and B, occur simultaneously on Earth, with coordinates (0,0,0,0) for A and (-500*10^3,0,0,0) for B. An airplane traveling at a velocity of 12/13v towards point S perceives event B as occurring first, with a time difference of 0.01733 seconds. This conclusion challenges the intuitive understanding of simultaneity in special relativity, highlighting the importance of the observer's frame of reference.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special relativity concepts, particularly simultaneity.
  • Familiarity with the Lorentz transformation equations.
  • Knowledge of velocity notation in relativistic contexts, such as 12/13v.
  • Basic comprehension of event coordinates in spacetime (x,y,z,t).
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of simultaneity in special relativity.
  • Learn about the Lorentz transformation and its applications in event timing.
  • Explore the concept of reference frames and their impact on perceived events.
  • Investigate the effects of relative motion on time perception in relativistic physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on relativity, as well as anyone interested in the nuances of time perception in moving reference frames.

ehrenfest
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An event occurred at point A

(x,y,z,t) = (0,0,0,0)

and Point B

(-500*10^3,0,0,0)

simultaneously on earth.

An airplane flies along the line (in space) connecting A and B with velocity 12/13v. The airplane is between B and S and is moving towards S. Which event occurred first. How much earlier did it occur.

Okay. I get that event B occurred first with by 0.01733 seconds. This defies all of my intuition because A and the plane are moving closer togethor while B and the plane are moving farther apart. I would think that this means the plane would perceive event A as "closer" than it really is and event B "farther" than it really is. Is my intuition that wrong?
 
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ehrenfest said:
An event occurred at point A

(x,y,z,t) = (0,0,0,0)

and Point B

(-500*10^3,0,0,0)

simultaneously on earth.

An airplane flies along the line (in space) connecting A and B with velocity 12/13v. The airplane is between B and S and is moving towards S. Which event occurred first. How much earlier did it occur.

the notation isn't clear on your velocity: What is 12/13v?

You also never define the point S.
 
ehrenfest said:
An event occurred at point A

(x,y,z,t) = (0,0,0,0)

and Point B

(-500*10^3,0,0,0)

simultaneously on earth.

An airplane flies along the line (in space) connecting A and B with velocity 12/13v. The airplane is between B and S and is moving towards S. Which event occurred first. How much earlier did it occur.

Okay. I get that event B occurred first with by 0.01733 seconds. This defies all of my intuition because A and the plane are moving closer togethor while B and the plane are moving farther apart. I would think that this means the plane would perceive event A as "closer" than it really is and event B "farther" than it really is. Is my intuition that wrong?

well the question is, was Earth moving with respect to either A or B? two events that happened simultaneously in one frame doesn't imply that the observer is stationary with respect to them or lie in the middle.
 

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