Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 36 - Relativity - Conceptual Questions - Page 1097: 5

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ Since Peggy is halfway between the two explosions, flashes from the two explosions arrive at Peggy at the same time, and the 3 of them, the two Firecrackers plus Peggy, are on the same reference frame that is moving at constant velocity, $\bf yes$, the two explosions are simultaneous in Peggy's reference frame. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The situation is different from Ryan's point of view, He saw the left explosion first and then the right one. So, $\bf no$, the two explosions are $\bf not$ simultaneous in Ryan's reference frame.
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