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Absolute VS Relative (1 Viewer)

shkspeare

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mkay i have a set of notes and it says
Simultaneity is not an absolute concept - it is relative
can some1 explain wot it means by absolute and relative?

thx :)
 

Xayma

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Absolute would mean, what is simultaneous for one observer will be simultaneous for any other observer.

Relative states that what is simultaneous for one observer might not be simultaneous for another.

If you were on a train travlleling at velocity "v" and fired a beam of light at both ends (and you were standing in the middle) the light will hit the ends at the same time.

An outside observer will see the train move before the light hits it and bring the following end of the train closer to the light hence he will see it hit the back wall first.
 

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