Question

Imagine a situation where I'm moving at the same velocity as the electrons in a conducting wire. In this scenario, from my frame of reference, the electrons appear to be stationary and thus there is no current from my POV.

Now, for a brief moment, these stationary electrons come into contact with (or pass right next to) a light bulb in the vacuum of space and closes the circuit for a brief moment, causing it to illuminate, and then we all continue moving together. (water this down as much as possible to reach spherical cows in a vaccuum state for the purposes of this problem)

Question:

From my perspective, the light bulb lights up even though the electrons (which I observe as stationary) aren't flowing in the traditional sense. How is this phenomenon explained? Would I effectively be seeing a light bulb illuminating without any observable current thus creating something out of thin air (obviously no). Or rather, what do i have to give up for the laws of physics to be consistent.

Answer 1

The phenomenon of the light bulb illuminating can be explained through the concept of electromagnetic induction, even if the electrons appear to be stationary from your perspective.

Step-by-step explanation:

In your scenario, where you are moving at the same velocity as the electrons in a conducting wire, it is true that from your perspective, the electrons appear to be stationary. However, the phenomenon of the light bulb illuminating can still be explained through the concept of electromagnetic induction.

When the stationary electrons come into contact with the light bulb, the changing magnetic field caused by their motion induces an electric current in the filament of the bulb. This electric current then causes the filament to heat up and emit light. Even though you perceive the electrons as stationary, their motion through the wire still generates a changing magnetic field that can induce a current in the circuit.

So, you are not seeing a light bulb illuminating without any observable current. The laws of physics remain consistent, and the phenomenon can be explained through electromagnetic induction.