| Original Message |
Jose Rodriguez
Posted Jun 21, 2009 11:12 PM
In the article Simultaneity in Special Relativity 2 by Ardeshir Mehta, available at: http://wbabin.net/physics/mehta.htm, Mr. Metha commits the common mistake of assuming synchronization of clocks in the inertial frame.
He states: Let there be an inertial frame of reference -- which we shall designate as I -- in which there are two clocks C1 and C2, separated from one another spatially, and synchronized: so that whenever the clock C1 indicates a moment in time t1, the other indicates a moment in time t2 such that t1 = t2 = t.
Here is the ambiguity: the place in space where the two clocks are synchronized, so that they indicate: whenever the clock C1 indicates a moment in time t1, the other indicates a moment in time t2 such that t1 = t2 = t, depends upon exactly where in space the observer is within the inertial frame.
If the observer of this synchronization is anywhere on a plane perpendicular to the line between the two clocks, this plane being equidistant between the two clocks, and the synchronizing signal is sent from there, simultaneously, to both clocks, they will both be synchronized: so that whenever the clock C1 indicates a moment in time t1, the other indicates a moment in time t2 such that t1 = t2 = t. Now, from here on, these clocks will remain synchronized, with respect to anyone, anywhere on this plane. (Assuming well regulated clocks.)
The overlooked qualification to the above scenario is this:
The ambiguity is apparent because any observer any where other than the above specified plane will observe the clocks to be out of synchronization. This is true even though the observers that are outside the plane are at rest with the clocks.
The rest of his explanation is faulty, since this factor is not considered.
|
|
|