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My question is about special relativity: Our two intrepid relacar drivers are na

ID: 1471768 • Letter: M

Question

My question is about special relativity:

Our two intrepid relacar drivers are named Pam and Ned. We use these names to make it easy to remember: measurements made by Pam are primed (x', t') and those made by Ned are not primed (x, t). v is the velocity of Pam (the other frame of reference) as measured by Ned. What is the interpretation of v'?

There are 4 possible choices for this answer:

a. The velocity of Pam as measured by Ned.

b. The velocity of Pam as measured by Pam.   

c. The velocity of Ned as measured by Ned.

d. The velocity of Ned as measured by Pam.

What answer do you think is correct? I tried answer a but marked wrong. So I have only 1 attempt left. Please explain why you choose the answer as well. Thanks a lot!

Explanation / Answer

Measurements made by Pam : (x', t')

Measurements made by Ned:   (x, t)

v is the velocity of Pam (the other frame of reference) as measured by Ned.

Therefore,

v' is the velocity of Ned (the other frame of reference) as measured by Pam.

Thus, the correct option is ( d ).

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