Special Relativity: just wanted a second opinion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around multiple choice questions related to special relativity, specifically addressing the nature of velocities and the speed of light in different frames of reference.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express differing opinions on the correct answers to the multiple choice questions, with some referencing Galileo's principle of relativity and the invariance of the speed of light. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of the questions and the validity of the provided answers.

Discussion Status

There is an active exchange of opinions regarding the answers, with some participants asserting their choices while others challenge the interpretations of the questions. Guidance is offered, but no consensus has been reached on the correct answers.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the context of the questions, particularly in relation to inertial frames of reference and the principles of special relativity. There is an indication that some information may be missing for a complete analysis.

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What would you suggest as the answers to the 2 attached multiple choice questions? My answers clashed with the answers provided and I stand by what I chose, and just wanted a second opinion. Thanks.
 

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How can we give you an opinion about your answers if you don't tell us what those answers are?

RGV
 


Ray Vickson said:
How can we give you an opinion about your answers if you don't tell us what those answers are?

RGV

I didn't mean I wanted your opinion on my answers. I just meant I wanted a second opinion on what the answers should be for the questions.
 
I think Question 3 is C.
 
I gave B for Q2 and D for Q3. I said B because of Galileo who said that all velocities are relative, and D because (although I don't know much about it at all) the speed of light isn't necessarily "c" in a non-intertial frame of reference. They answers given were A for Q2 and C for Q3. What do you guys think?
 
Your answers are correct. A and C are definitely wrong no matter how you interpret the question.
 
ideasrule said:
Your answers are correct. A and C are definitely wrong no matter how you interpret the question.

Great, thanks very much.
 
"D" and "C", respectively. One of the two postulates of special relativity is that the laws of physics are identical for all inertial frames of reference.

For the second one, the speed of light (in a vacuum) is always "c". There is nothing you can do to measure it to be any different (short of using a medium with a higher index of refraction).
 
Last edited:
yoshtov said:
"D" and "C", respectively. One of the two postulates of special relativity is that the laws of physics are identical for all inertial frames of reference.

For the second one, the speed of light (in a vacuum) is always "c". There is nothing you can do to measure it to be any different (short of using a medium with a higher index of refraction).

D is not correct for the first answer, re-read the question, it is about Galileo. C for the second is not correct either, the speed of light is only c in inertial reference frames.

The answers are B and D.
 

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