Gedanken experiments and the relativity of simultaneity

Gary E. Bowman

doi:10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/017

Gedanken experiments and the relativity of simultaneity

Gary E. Bowman

Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1093-1099
Number of pages	7
Journal	European Journal of Physics
Volume	26
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/017
State	Published - Nov 1 2005

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

Physics and Astronomy(all)

Cite this

Bowman, G. E. (2005). Gedanken experiments and the relativity of simultaneity. European Journal of Physics, 26(6), 1093-1099. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/017

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Access to Document

10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/017