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How and in what particulars were Einstein's "thought experiments" different from what I'd call "educated imagination". ?
Why the need to use the word "experiment" ?--to add weight and scientific authority to his speculations?
2 Answers
- SamandrielLv 65 years agoFavorite Answer
They are called "thought experiments" because they are experiments that can be done in principle, but can be physically impractical to actually carry out. Because of this, you think through how they would work instead.
To be clear, not all of his thought experiments have remained purely in the imagination. What is physically practical to test changes over time, and a number of his thought experiments have turned into actual physical experiments over the years.
