Unit 14: Post AP Test-Special Relativity

NOVA: Einstein's Big Idea

While watching the movie, write one or two sentences for each describing how Faraday, the Lavoisers, Maxwell, Emilie du Chatelet, Lise Meitner, and Mileva Merik Einstein all contributed to E = mc^2

Simultaneity

In the first two versions of the situation, Newtonian physics (AKA Galilean Relativity) is employed. Regardless of where the light source and sensors are placed (on the ship or on the ground) both Nicole and Ali AGREE that the senors are triggered simultaneously. This is because they DISAGREE about the speed of light. In one frame it is c and another it is c + or - u. Or in this example the speed of light in one frame is 4 and in another frame it is 6 to the right and 2 to the left because the ship is moving 2 to the right.

In the second two versions, Einstein's physics take over.

Regardless of where the light source and sensors are placed (on the ship or on the ground) both Nicole and Ali DISAGREE that the senors are triggered simultaneously. This is because they AGREE about the speed of light. In both frames it is c. Or in this example the speed of light in both frames is + or -4.

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