Help! Physical science

Question

Which of the following accurately states the claim made by special relativity?
\l "\l " A. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for stationary frames of reference.

\l "\l " B. The speed of light in a vacuum is faster for accelerating frames of reference.

\l "\l " C. The speed of light in a vacuum is slower for frames of reference that have a constant velocity.

\l "\l " D. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all frames of reference

Answer 1

Amanda,

 

(A) is a correct but incomplete statement.  It should say "The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all INERTIAL frames of reference."  Stationary frames are inertial, but so are frames moving at a constant speed in a straight line, i.e. non-accelerating frames.

 

(B) is not addressed by special relativity, so it is not the correct answer.

 

(C) is false. 

 

(D) is incorrect because it is not true for accelerating frames of reference.  Special relativity deals only with inertial (non-accelerating) frames of reference.

 

I would say (A) is the best answer from these choices, but is an incomplete answer.