Simultaneity of events in 2 dimensions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the simultaneity of events in two-dimensional space as described by special relativity. An observer (o1) positioned at the midpoint between two lights sees both lights flash simultaneously. Additionally, a spaceship traveling at 0.8c parallel to the y-axis also perceives the flashes as simultaneous due to the symmetry of the situation. This understanding is confirmed by participants, emphasizing that even if the spaceship were not aligned with the observer, it would still calculate the events as simultaneous.

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  • Understanding of special relativity principles
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  • Basic knowledge of two-dimensional motion
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techdirect
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Hi all,

I am not a physicist. Some engineer friends of mine and I have a question about special relativity in two dimensions. To set it up, there are 2 lights floating in space parallel to the x-axis and a spaceship is traveling at .8c flying parallel to the y-axis towards the midpoint of the line connecting the lights. Then at some time, t, an observer, o1, between the lights at the midpoint flashes both of them simultaneously.

I drew a quick diagram which is attached.

1. The observer o1 will see both flash simultaneously

2. At a different time t', the crew of the spaceship will also see both flash simultaneously because of the symmetry of the problem.

Is our understanding correct?
 

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Welcome to PF!

Hi techdirect! Welcome to PF! :smile:
techdirect said:
1. The observer o1 will see both flash simultaneously

2. At a different time t', the crew of the spaceship will also see both flash simultaneously because of the symmetry of the problem.

Is our understanding correct?

Completely! :biggrin:

(and, more generally, even if the spaceship was not in line with o, but was still moving parallel to the y-axis, even though it would not see the flashes at the same time, it would calculate that they happened at the same time)
 

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