If two lightning bolts hit exactly the same place at exactly the same time in one frame of reference, is it possible that observers on other frames will see the bolts hitting at different times or at different places?
According to the theory of special relativity, different observers in relative motion may perceive events occurring at different times and locations. This phenomenon is known as the relativity of simultaneity.
In the scenario you described, if two lightning bolts hit exactly the same place at exactly the same time in one frame of reference, observers in other frames of reference, which are in relative motion to the first frame, may perceive the lightning bolts hitting at different times and/or at different places. This is because time and space intervals are relative and can be affected by factors such as velocity and distance between observers and the events they're observing.
However, the precise differences in perception would depend on the specific relative motion between frames of reference and the exact velocities of observers.
Yes, it is indeed possible for observers in other frames of reference to see the lightning bolts hitting at different times or different places. This phenomenon is known as the relativity of simultaneity, which is a consequence of Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity.
According to special relativity, the concept of "simultaneity" is relative and depends on the observer's frame of reference. Different observers moving relative to one another will have their own perspective of events, including the timing and location of lightning bolts hitting.
Imagine two observers, one stationary (frame A) and another moving relative to the stationary observer (frame B). When the lightning bolts strike in frame A, an observer in frame B, due to their motion, would perceive the bolts hitting at different locations or times.
This is because, according to special relativity, the perception of time and space is influenced by the relative motion between observers. Observers in different frames have their own frame-specific measurements of time and space, leading to differences in their observations of events, including simultaneous events like the lightning strikes.
Therefore, even though the lightning bolts hit the same location at the same time in one frame of reference, observers in other frames of reference may perceive the bolts hitting at different times or different places based on their relative motion.
The so-called space-time interval between the two events, defined as:
S^2 = c^2 [difference in time]^2 - [spatial distance]^2
is always the same for all observers.
In this case S^2 = 0. This means that the time and distance that other observers see between the two events will be related according to:
distance = c times time difference
So, different times and different places is possible provided the above relation is satisfied.