CH 37
CH 37
CH 37
Relativity
Views of an Event
An event is some physical
phenomenon
Assume the event occurs
and is observed by an
observer at rest in an
inertial reference frame
The event’s location and
time can be specified by
the coordinates (x, y, z, t)
Galilean Space-Time Transformation
Equations (Newtonian Mechanics)
An observer in S describes the event with space-
time coordinates (x, y, z, t)
An observer in S’ describes the same event with
space-time coordinates (x’, y’, z’, t’)
Assume the origins of S and S’ coincide at t=0
The relationship among the coordinates are
x’ = x – vt
y’ = y
z’ = z
t’ = t
Notes About Galilean
Transformation Equations
In relativistic mechanics
There is no such thing as absolute length.
There is no such thing as absolute time.
Events at different locations that are observed to
occur simultaneously in one frame are not observed to
be simultaneous in another frame moving uniformly
past the first.
Simultaneity Speed of light is absolute simultaneity is relative
Simultaneity, cont.
The Relativity of Time
Speed of light is absolute time duration is relative
The Relativity of Time, cont.
Classical physics:
Special relativity: 0.1237 μs is the time in the rest frame of K+ but not the time in the lab frame
Length Contraction
x1, x1’ x2, x2’
is still in S’.
Δx ′ = x 2′ − x1′
= γ ( x 2 − vt 2 ) − γ ( x1 − vt1 )
S must measure the length
at the same time, i.e. t2=t1.
Δx ′ = γ ( x 2 − x1 ) = γΔx
Δx = Δx ′ γ < Δx ′
The length Δx’ of an object measured in the rest frame of the
object is its proper length or rest length. Measurements of
the length from any reference frame that is in relative motion
parallel to that length are always less than the proper length
(length contraction).
Proper Length vs. Proper Time
The proper length and proper time interval are
defined differently.
The proper length is measured by an observer
for whom the end points of the length remained
fixed in space.
The proper time interval is measured by
someone for whom the two events take place at
the same position in space.
The Lorentz Transformation, Example
Sam
Event Blue: x1 = −L/2, t1.
Event Red: x2 = L/2, t2.
Δt = t2 − t1 = 0.
Sally
Event Blue: t1′.
Event Red: t2′.
What is Δt′? vx2 vx1
Δt ′ ≠ γΔt Δt′ = t2′ - t1′ = γ − 2 + 2
c c
Can’t use the equation?! < 0.
The Relativity of Velocities
The Speed of Light
c+v
u ′ = c, u = =c
1 + cv 2
c
e: explosion; b: burst
???
′
1 /
Δ Δ ′ ′
Δ Δ′ Δ ′/ 1 /
Doppler Effect for Light
Let f0 represent the proper frequency of the source—that is,
the frequency that is measured by an observer in the rest
frame of the source.
+ ……
λ0 1 c 1 1
In the frame of source, Δt source = = =
c − v c − v f 0 1 − (v c ) f 0
1 1 1 1 1 − (v c ) 2 1 1 + (v c ) 1
= Tobs = Δtobs = = =
f γ 1 − (v c ) f 0 1 − v c f0 1 − (v c ) f 0
1 − (v c )
f = f0
1 + (v c )
A New Look at Momentum
In S’, u’ = 0.
The new definition:
Total energy E is the sum of its mass energy and its kinetic
energy:
K = γ mc 2 − mc 2 = (γ − 1)mc 2 ( pc) 2 = K 2 + 2 K mc 2
The relation between the momentum and the kinetic energy.