Special Relativity Flashcards
what are Einstein’s Postulates?
- the laws of physics are the same for all observers in any inertial reference frame
- the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers regardless of their motion
the effects at velocities of less than what are usually negligible?
10% of the speed of light
what are velocities of greater than 10% of the speed of light known as?
relativistic velocities
Galilean invariance
the laws of motion are true in all frames of reference
as the speed of light is constant for all observers, two observers viewing the same event…
will measure different times and distances depending on how they are moving
example of Newtonian relativity
walking in a moving train
how do muons prove the theory of special relativity?
muons are subatomic particles with a short half life
measuring the number of muons reaching the surface of the Earth proves special relativity
many more detected than expected
what is time dilation?
a difference in a time interval as measured by a stationary observer and a moving observer
how to tell if it is proper length or time?
if it could be accurately measured
eg: technician in a spaceship could measure length accurately
will a stationary observer or observer moving with events measure a greater time?
time measured by stationary observer will be greater
what is the lorentz factor?
1/square root of 1-v squared/c squared
will a stationary observer or observer moving with events measure a greater length?
the observer moving with events will measure greater length
how to work out relative speed for objects moving in same direction?
faster speed-slower speed
how to work out relative speed for objects moving in opposite directions?
add two speeds together
time dilation equation
t’=t/ root 1- v squared/ c squared
