Event 2 occurs a time Δt after event 1. If event 2 is caused by event 1, which of the following is true?
A) The distance between event 1 and event 2 can be anything.
B) The distance between event 1 and event 2 is not more than c Δt.
C) There are frames of reference in which event 2 occurs before event 1.
D) There are frames of reference in which event 1 and event 2 are simultaneous.
E) None of these choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to special relativity, the maximum speed at which information can be transmitted is the speed of light, c. Therefore, if event 2 is causally linked to event 1, it cannot occur more than c Δt away from event 1 in any frame of reference. Choices A, C, D, and E are incorrect because they either do not follow from the principles of special relativity or contradict them.

Event 2 Occurs a Time ΔT After Event 1