Published January 2008 | Version v1
Journal article

Communicating with accelerated observers in Minkowski spacetime

Creators

  • 1. Philosophy Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 (United States)

Description

Our goal here is to determine the spatial and temporal constraints on communication between two observers at least one of which moves with constant proper acceleration in two-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. We take as a simplified model of communication one observer bouncing a light signal off another observer. Our derivations use only elementary mathematics and spacetime diagrams, and hence are accessible to students taking their first course in special relativity. Furthermore, the qualitative features of our results can be easily explained to non-physics students in courses that discuss special relativity at a 'conceptual' level

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/29/1/007;
PII
S0143-0807(08)52963-1;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
European Journal of Physics
Journal Volume
29
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 73-84
ISSN
0143-0807
CODEN
EJPHD4

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
39028785
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
ACCELERATION; COMMUNICATIONS; MATHEMATICS; MINKOWSKI SPACE; RELATIVITY THEORY; SIGNALS; SPACE-TIME; TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS; VISIBLE RADIATION
Descriptors DEC
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; RADIATIONS; SPACE