Published November 1, 2005 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Gedanken experiments and the relativity of simultaneity

Creators

  • 1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 6010, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 (United States)

Description

Albert Einstein used his famous gedanken (thought) experiment of a train struck by two lightning bolts to illustrate the relativity of simultaneity. I discuss foundational and pedagogical aspects of this experiment and of a lesser known but conceptually simpler alternative gedanken experiment

Availability note (English)

Available online at http://stacks.iop.org/0143-0807/26/1093/ejp5_6_017.pdf or at the Web site for the journal European Journal of Physics (ISSN 1361-6404) http://www.iop.org/

Additional details

Identifiers

URL
http://stacks.iop.org/0143-0807/26/1093/ejp5_6_017.pdf; http://www.iop.org/;
DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/017;
PII
S0143-0807(05)88637-4;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
European Journal of Physics
Journal Volume
26
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 1093-1099
ISSN
0143-0807
CODEN
EJPHD4

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
36098594
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
EINSTEIN FIELD EQUATIONS; GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY; LIGHTNING; TRAINING; TRAINS
Descriptors DEC
EDUCATION; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; EQUATIONS; FIELD EQUATIONS; FIELD THEORIES; RELATIVITY THEORY; VEHICLES