Special relativity, simultaneity

AI Thread Summary
A train traveling at 100 km/h experiences simultaneous lightning strikes at its front and back from the perspective of a ground observer. Using Lorentz transformations, the time difference between the strikes as perceived by an observer on the train is calculated to be approximately -2.47 x 10^-13 seconds. This indicates that the observer on the train sees the lightning strike at the front occur before the one at the back. The result aligns with the principles of special relativity, confirming the order of events. The calculation is deemed correct, resolving the initial uncertainty.
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Homework Statement


A train of 0.8 km (measured by an observer over the train) travels at a speed of 100 km/h. Two lightnings strike simultaneously the back and the front of the train, according to an observer on the ground. What is the time separating both strikes according to the observer on the train?

Homework Equations


Lorentz transformations.

The Attempt at a Solution


Let O be the reference frame of the observer on the ground and O' be the frame of reference of the observer on the train.
They give me the information x_B'-x_A'=800m and t_B-t_A=0. They ask me t_B'-t_A'.
Using Lorentz transformations, I get that t_B'+\frac{vx_B'}{c^2}-t_A'-\frac{vx_A'}{c^2}=0.
I converted the km/h to m/s and my result is that t_B'-t_A'=-2.4691358 \times 10 ^{-13}s. It means therefore that t_A'>t_B', thus the observer on the train sees first the strike of the lightning on the front of the train and then the one on the back of the train and their time separation is about 2.4691358 \times 10 ^{-13}s.
I don't know if it's true. To me it seems a too little time, although I realize that the train is only moving at \frac{1000m}{36s}\approx \frac{30m}{s} which is very small compared to c. The order of the strikes seems logical to me...
Can someone confirm/infirm my result?
 
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Your answer is correct.
 
Doc Al said:
Your answer is correct.

Ok thank you, good to know. Problem solved.
 
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