Temporal order of events seen by different Lorentz observers

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the temporal order of events A, B, and C as perceived by different Lorentz observers, specifically observer O who sees the order ABC and observer Ō who sees CBA. It is established that not all placements of these events on a spacetime diagram can simultaneously produce the observed orders for both observers. The conclusion drawn is that a third observer could potentially see the events in the order ACB, but this requires careful selection of event placements and observer configurations. The use of Minkowski diagrams is crucial for visualizing these relationships.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz transformations
  • Familiarity with Minkowski diagrams
  • Knowledge of spacetime coordinates (t-x and t'-x' systems)
  • Basic principles of special relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Minkowski diagrams in detail to visualize event orderings
  • Learn about Lorentz transformations and their implications on event perception
  • Explore the concept of simultaneity in special relativity
  • Investigate examples of event ordering in different inertial frames
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Students of physics, particularly those studying special relativity, educators teaching the concepts of spacetime, and anyone interested in the implications of observer-dependent phenomena in physics.

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Homework Statement



Three events, ##A##, ##B##, ##C##, are seen by observer ##\mathcal{O}## to occur in the order ##ABC##. Another observer, ##\mathcal{\bar{O}}##, sees the events to occur in the order ##CBA##. Is it possible that a third observer sees the events in the order ##ACB##? Support your conclusion by drawing a spacetime diagram.

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



Here's a particular placement of the events ##A##, ##B##, ##C## in the order ##ABC## as seen by observer ##\mathcal{O}## (##t##-##x## coordinate system) and in the order ##CBA## as seen by observer ##\mathcal{\bar{O}}## (##t'##-##x'## coordinate system):

IMAG0113.jpg


I find that not all placements of the events ##A##, ##B##, ##C## on the spacetime diagram simultaneously produce the orders ##ABC## and ##CBA## as seen by two different observers ##\mathcal{O}## and ##\mathcal{\bar{O}}##.

How I proceed with demonstrating whether or not a third observer sees the events in the order ##ACB##?
 
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