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Conclusions About the Simultaneity of Two Events

Vesselin Noninski

Published Feb 1, 2003• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

A 'gedanken' experiment is presented whereby two simultaneous events (from the point of view of an obesrver in a train) trigger an explosion which destroys a train. A stationary observer using the Special Theory of Relativity (STR) to determine simultaneity in the train concludes that no simultaneous events have occurred on the train, hence the train is intact. It is pointed out that the conclusion the stationary observer makes is incorrect because it is based on STR as a method to determine simultaneity.

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A 'gedanken' experiment is presented whereby two simultaneous events (from the point of view of an obesrver in a train) trigger an explosion which destroys a train. A stationary observer using the Special Theory of Relativity (STR) to determine simultaneity in the train concludes that no simultaneous events have occurred on the train, hence the train is intact. It is pointed out that the conclusion the stationary observer makes is incorrect because it is based on STR as a method to determine simultaneity.
In this paper, we examine the thought (gedanken) experiment referred to by the title, by utilizing the two principles (hypotheses) of the Theory of Special Relativity and adhering to Heisenberg’s and the School of Copenhagen’s philosophical line. In other words, we introduce to the theater of events the Observer who measures them in both Space and Time and request that the propositions of Physical Science are derived from those very measurements. By doing so, we arrive to the conclusion that events measured as simultaneous from one system of reference, are also measured as simultaneous from any other system of reference moving in a linear uniform translatory motion relative to it, contrary to Einstein’s thesis. Resume Dans ce traite, nous examinons l’experience de pensee (Gedankenexperiment) evoquee par le titre, en utilisant les deux principes (hypotheses) de la Theorie de la Relativite Restreinte et suivant la ligne philosophique de Heisenberg et de l'Ecole de Copenhague. En d'autres termes, nous introduisons dans le theâtre des evenements l'Observateur qui les mesure a la fois dans l'espace et le temps, en exigeant que les propositions de la science physique soient derivees de ces memes mesures. Ce faisant, nous arrivons a la conclusion que les evenements consideres comme simultanes par la mesure selon un premier systeme de reference, sont egalement mesures comme simultanes selon tout autre systeme de reference, se deplacant dans un mouvement lineaire de translation uniforme par rapport au premier, contrairement a la these d'Einstein.
A proof is given that there does not exist an event, that is not already in the past for some possible distant observer at the (our) moment that the latter is “now” for us. Such event is as “legally” past for that distant observer as is the moment five minutes ago on the sun for us (irrespective of the circumstance that the light of the sun cannot reach us in a period of five minutes). Only an extreme positivism: “that which cannot yet be observed does not yet exist”, can possibly withstand the conclusion concerned. Therefore, there is determinism, also in micro-physics.
The role of the observer is essential in determining the reality as well as making measurements of the state of a physical situation. This observation becomes important in elaborating a long-standing paradox of physics known as the Twin Paradox of the Special Theory of Relativity (STR). Einstein showed that the time interval between two events determined by a moving observer is greater than that determined by a stationary observer. The effect is known as time dilation. However, it leads to the paradox that a twin brother returning from a space trip is younger than his twin sister who had stayed home. The resolution of the paradox is assisted by introducing a new requirement of physics called the “reality test.” This states that whatever an observer measures must be real. It also reveals that discrepancies in time measurements can be attributed to the change of state the traveling twin undergoes as he changes velocity over the journey.
Abstract According to the Special Theory of Relativity, there is no such thing as absolute simultaneity, contrary to the view defended in the book. However, this chapter demonstrates that the Special Theory of Relativity can be modified so as to allow absolute simultaneity. This modification involves reference to absolute space and the causal relations between space‐time points, and drops the assumption that the one‐way speed of light is constant through all frames of reference. Contrary to the orthodox theory, the modified version has the additional advantage of avoiding a clash with quantum mechanics, such as brought out by the Einstein‐Podolsky‐Rosen thought experiment and Bell's Theorem.