Question

3-7. As shown in the chapter, Einstein's postulates predict that in empty space, the speed of light is the same to any inertial observer (that is, to any observer who travels in a straight line at constant speed.) However, we can show that there is a limit to how fast such an observer can travel! Consider the following thought 38 Chapter 3 / Einstein's Postulates experiment: We suddenly turn on a laser beam moving at velocity $c$ relative to us, just as three hypothetical observers pass by us in the same direction as the beam. The first observer has velocity $c/2$, the second has velocity $0.999c$, and the third has velocity $c$. Give an argument why, if metersticks had different lengths in different frames, or clocks ticked at different rates in different frames, it is not impossible that the first and second observers could measure the beam to be moving at speed $c$ relative to them, but that the third observer could not find that the beam is moving at speed $c$ relative to her.

          3-7. As shown in the chapter, Einstein's postulates predict that in empty space, the
speed of light is the same to any inertial observer (that is, to any observer who
travels in a straight line at constant speed.) However, we can show that there is
a limit to how fast such an observer can travel! Consider the following thought
38
Chapter 3 / Einstein's Postulates
experiment: We suddenly turn on a laser beam moving at velocity $c$ relative to us,
just as three hypothetical observers pass by us in the same direction as the beam.
The first observer has velocity $c/2$, the second has velocity $0.999c$, and the third has
velocity $c$. Give an argument why, if metersticks had different lengths in different
frames, or clocks ticked at different rates in different frames, it is not impossible
that the first and second observers could measure the beam to be moving at speed $c$
relative to them, but that the third observer could not find that the beam is moving
at speed $c$ relative to her.

3-7. As shown in the chapter, Einstein's postulates predict that in empty space, the
speed of light is the same to any inertial observer (that is, to any observer who
travels in a straight line at constant speed.) However, we can show that there is
a limit to how fast such an observer can travel! Consider the following thought
38
Chapter 3 / Einstein's Postulates
experiment: We suddenly turn on a laser beam moving at velocity c relative to us,
just as three hypothetical observers pass by us in the same direction as the beam.
The first observer has velocity c/2, the second has velocity 0.999c, and the third has
velocity c. Give an argument why, if metersticks had different lengths in different
frames, or clocks ticked at different rates in different frames, it is not impossible
that the first and second observers could measure the beam to be moving at speed c
relative to them, but that the third observer could not find that the beam is moving
at speed c relative to her.

Added by Stacy S.

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