IT'S ALL RELATIVE
![Light colored, thin and long horizontal stadium shape.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/bluebar/2726996-1-eng-US/bluebar_full_495.gif 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/bluebar/2726996-1-eng-US/bluebar_full_990.gif 706w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/bluebar/2726996-1-eng-US/bluebar_full_1468.gif 706w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/bluebar/2726996-1-eng-US/bluebar_full_1980.gif 706w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/bluebar/2726996-1-eng-US/bluebar_full_2475.gif 706w)
![The number "1" in block text inside of a light-colored circle.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_1/2727404-1-eng-US/rel_1_full_495.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_1/2727404-1-eng-US/rel_1_full_990.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_1/2727404-1-eng-US/rel_1_full_1468.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_1/2727404-1-eng-US/rel_1_full_1980.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_1/2727404-1-eng-US/rel_1_full_2475.gif 54w)
Where you're looking from.
Imagine you're sitting on a fast-moving train. You see your friend moving by you; your friend sees you moving by him.
![Cartoon of a person sitting in doorway of railroad box car talking to a person standing on the ground outside. A red arrow extends forward from boxcar](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/it-s-all-relative/442433-2-eng-US/it-s-all-relative_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/it-s-all-relative/442433-2-eng-US/it-s-all-relative_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/it-s-all-relative/442433-2-eng-US/it-s-all-relative_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/it-s-all-relative/442433-2-eng-US/it-s-all-relative_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/it-s-all-relative/442433-2-eng-US/it-s-all-relative_full_2475.png 1200w)
![The number "2" in block text inside of a light-colored circle.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_2/2727416-1-eng-US/rel_2_full_495.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_2/2727416-1-eng-US/rel_2_full_990.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_2/2727416-1-eng-US/rel_2_full_1468.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_2/2727416-1-eng-US/rel_2_full_1980.gif 54w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/physics/space-and-time/rel_2/2727416-1-eng-US/rel_2_full_2475.gif 54w)
How fast you're moving compared to the speed of light.
Imagine you are still on the train and two lightning bolts flash — one in front of the train, the other behind it. If your friend sees them flash at the same time, you'll see them flash at different times. Why? Because you're moving toward the light of one bolt and away from the light of the other.
Time and space are different depending on your frame of reference.
You've just been working on a thought experiment. Einstein and others have used them to try to explain how the universe works.
To perform a thought experiment, you don't need a laboratory or machines — just your imagination! Once, when someone asked Einstein where his laboratory was, he pointed to his pen.
Image Credits:
Kid photos: courtesy of Denis Finnin, AMNH; It's All Relative: Jim Paillot; Rabbit, elephant, and ant: Francesco Santalacia; You Light Up My Life!: Cathy Sanchez Duvivier