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K E M
1.2
Newtonian Relativity
Physics 73
1.3
1.3.1
Special Relativity
First Postulate
Preface
1.3.2
This handout is intended as a reviewer only and
should not be substituted for a complete lecture,
or used as a reference material. The goal of this
reviewer is to refresh the student on the concepts
and techniques in one reading. But this is more
than enough to replace your notes :)
Second Postulate
Principle of Relativity
1.1
Reference Frames
Speed
Time between two events
2.1
Kinetic energy
Force
Definition (Spacetime Interval). The interval between two events happening at some points (ta , xa )
and (tb , xb ). The interval, s, is defined by
Electric field
Magnetic field
s2 = t2 x2 = (t0 )2 (x0 )2
1.4
Natural Units
(1)
x = xb xa
To elegantly simplify particular algebraic expressions appearing in the laws of physics (particularly
relativity here), we deal with natural units.
Same unit for space and time
t = tb ta
With the 0 denoting an observation made in another frame of reference. Spacetime interval is invariant, i.e. observations in two different IRFs
has the same spacetime interval.
In natural units, c = 1
vnat =
Flat spacetime
1X
Xnat
=
tnat
c t
Places
(t, x, y, z)
(x, y, z)
invariant interval
invariant distance
s2 = c2 t2 x2
Euclidean space
Events
tnat = ct
Speed is unitless
vs
d2 = x2 + y 2
2.2
Spacetime Diagrams
A spacetime diagram is a helpful visual representation of events in spacetime. Note the following:
In one spatial dimension, the vertical axis is
t while the horizontal is x.
Timelike : t2 x2 > 0
Light-like : t2 x2 = 0
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Spacellike : t2 x2 < 0
event
t
3
firecracker 2
2
worldline
1
firecracker 1
x
Figure 2.1: An example of a spacetime diagram
t0
2
5
3
t
1
x0
k
x
Figure 2.4: Plot of the two events on a Rocket frame moving to the left. Notice that in the lab frame,
the two firecrackers happened in one place.
While in this rocket frame, there is a positive
directed distance from x0 = 0.
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2.3
Relativity of Simultaneity
2
Events that are simultaneous in one IRF
may not be simultaneous in another IRF.
53
1
x0
t
A
t
5
4
A
x0
x
(b) Rocket frame, RL < 0
t0
A
x0
Remark. You may have noticed that in the proton example, the slope is equal to 1 while in the
two previous rocket examples, the slope is 1 .
Dont be confused.
B
(c) Rocket frame, RL > 0
Figure 2.7: Events A and B are simultaneous in the Lab
frame but not in the Rocket frame.
Page 4 of 9
2.4
2.5
Lorentz Transformation
Weve studied so far the geometric nature of spacetime and the spacetime interval. Now we proceed
with the algebraic treatment.
Light Cones
A light cone is the path that a flash of light, emanating from a single event (localised to a single point in space and a single moment in time)
and traveling in all directions, would take through
spacetime.
(2)
x = x0 + RL t0
(3)
y = y0
(4)
future
z = z0
(5)
where
RL : speed of rocket wrt lab
A
sent
he pre
of t
plane
r
e
p
y
h
(6)
: Lorentz factor
1
=p
1 2
(7)
For velocities,
past
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vx =
vx0 +
1 + vx0
(8)
vy =
vy0
1 + vx0
(9)
vz =
vz0
1 + vx0
(10)
2.6
Synchronisation of Clocks
1 2
(13)
tdilated
50
1.9982
25 min
2.7
Time Dilation
2.8
Time dilation is a difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers moving relative to each other.
Clocks moving at relativistic speeds appear
to run slower than a stationary clock.
Lorentz Contraction
Time dilation is not limited to clocks. Ageing and other biological events dilate too!
Page 6 of 9
t0
45
l
ig
ht
lin
Definition (Proper length). It is the distance between the two spacelike events, as measured in an
inertial frame of reference in which the events are
simultaneous. It is given by:
p
(14)
= x2 t2
x0
1 2
(a) RL > 0
(15)
lin
e
(16)
45
l
ig
ht
L =
1 2
p
= (1) 1 0.8662
x0
0.5 m
(b) RL < 0
Figure 2.10: Two-observer spacetime diagrams
2.9
2.10.1
2.10
Velocity Transformation
tanh OL = OL
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tan OL =
tanh OR + tanh RL
1 + (tanh OR )(tanh RL )
tanh(x) + tanh(y)
1 + tanh(x) tanh(y)
So we conclude that:
OL = OR + RL
(18)
This greatly simplifies the math, as compared to
the velocity-addition formula by Equation (17).
By first getting the velocity parameters in each
reference frames, we just add the two and find
the inverse hyperbolic tangent to get the relative
velocity required.
=
cosh RL =
sinh RL = Rl
fapproach
f0
2
2
1
(24)
+1
Recall c = f
fapproach
f0
Relativistic Momentum
(19)
(20)
3
3.1
(25)
m is rest mass.
dp
.
Generalising Newtons Second law, use
dt
Not F = ma
3.1.1
(23)
Relativistic energy
s
fapproach = f0
3.1.2
1+
1
(21)
1
1+
(22)
Page 8 of 9
K = ( 1)mc2
(26)
m is rest mass.
Applicable only to objects with nonzero
mass.
Lorentz factor should use the velocity of
the object.
(27)
(28)
in natural units,
E 2 = m2 + p2
5.1
(29)
Invariance of Mass
(30)
References
[1] Tatsu Takechi. Synchronization of clocks. online.
[2] Wikipedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
2004.
[3] H.D. Young, R.A. Freedman, and A.L. Ford.
Sears and Zemanskys University Physics:
With Modern Physics. Addison-Wesley, 2012.
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