B Embankment A Embankment CEinstein concluded that, clearly, there is a discrepancy of distances. The train observers measured a shorter distance between the light and the observers, than the observers on the embankment (Bohm 56-58). Einstein concluded that, "Simultaneity is not an absolute quality of events. Rather the meaning of simultaneity must be understood as being relative to the observers" (Bohm 55). Once we admit that simultaneity is relative to the speed of the observer, it immediately follows that measurements of length and time have corresponding relativity (Bohm 58).If length and time are relative to the speed of the observer, a few interesting consequences arise. If a spaceship were to pass overhead at the normal rate of spaceship of our time, everything would appear to be normal. If an identical spaceship were to pass while approaching the speed of light, its height and width would remain the same, but the length would have been reduced significantly. The astronauts would not notice a difference, even if they measured their length and width. It is not an optical illusion, merely just two different frames of reference. If it were possible to measure mass at that speed, we would find that the mass had been dramatically increased. Once again, if the astronauts were to get out the balance scale and measure everything inside, they would not notice a difference from the mass of these objects on the ground. The duration between ticks of a clock increase at this rate of speed, causing the astronauts to age slower. If it were possible to achieve the speed of light, from our frame of reference the astronauts would not age. If it were possible to exceed the speed of light the astronauts would actually travel back in time. Even though the astronauts disagree with observers' perceptions, both groups have correct calculations, due to Einstein?s Special Theory of Relativity (Chaisson 64-66)....
