Relativity question

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From: Deb Jensen (deb@meer.net)
Date: Sat Mar 22 2003 - 10:15:11 PST 

Message-Id: <l0311075fbaa257953b21@[192.168.0.100]>
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 10:15:11 -0800
From: Deb Jensen <deb@meer.net>
Subject: Relativity question

Help, Paul D or someone else well versed in relativity please....I'm again
reminded why I like talking about relativity (the kids love it) and also
hate it (they ask hard questions I should be able to answer but can't).

We were discussing the Twin Paradox yesterday, and the kids asked "well,
what if you have TWO rockets, out in space, and they BOTH leave a point
traveling at equal speeds in opposite directions. Then they BOTH turn
around and come back, stop, and compare clocks. Won't the time on each be
the same?"

Part of me says no, they've been moving relative to each other and so
they'll be different. But then, what if you consider it like both rockets
coming back to the "earth" frame of reference - they've been traveling at
the same relative speed to the earth, so yes, won't they be the same? And
lots more arguments along those lines.....

Ack! Help me Mr. Wizard! <G> Thanks!

deb \m/

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