A.5 Galilean & special relativity HL

Question 1

Reference Frame

Answer 1

A coordinate system used to describe the motion of a body in space-time.

Question 2

Define Galilean relativity and its significance in classical mechanics

Answer 2

Galilean relativity states that the laws of motion are the same in all inertial frames, emphasizing the relative nature of motion.

Question 3

Galilean transformation equations?

Answer 3

x′ = x - vt for position, t′ = t for time.

Question 4

Difference between Galilean and special relativity’s time concept?

Answer 4

Galilean sees time as absolute; special relativity sees it as relative.

Question 5

Galilean velocity addition formula?

Answer 5

u′ = u - v.

Question 6

Two postulates of special relativity?

Answer 6

Laws of physics are invariant; speed of light is constant.

Question 7

Time dilation’s effect on time measurement?

Answer 7

Moving clocks tick slower than stationary ones.

Question 8

Time dilation formula?

Answer 8

Δt = γΔt₀

Question 9

Length contraction in special relativity?

Answer 9

Moving objects shorten in their direction of motion.

Question 10

Length contraction equation?

Answer 10

L = L₀√(1-v²/c²).

Question 11

Lorentz transformations’ purpose?

Answer 11

Relate space and time coordinates in different inertial frames.

Question 12

Lorentz vs. Galilean transformations?

Answer 12

Lorentz accounts for speed of light; Galilean doesn’t.

Question 13

Lorentz factor (γ)’s significance?

Answer 13

Quantifies relativistic effects like time dilation.

Question 14

What’s the space-time interval?

Answer 14

An invariant combining space and time differences.

Question 15

Relation of proper time and length to Lorentz transformations?

Answer 15

Measures in object’s rest frame, vary in moving frames.

Question 16

Space-Time Diagram

Answer 16

A graphical representation of events as points in space-time, showing the relationship between space and time / Visualize events in space and time.

Question 17

How does special relativity view simultaneity?

Answer 17

It’s relative, depending on the observer’s motion.

Question 18

Space-time diagrams and simultaneity?

Answer 18

Show how simultaneity varies across reference frames.

Question 19

Simultaneity

Answer 19

The occurrence of two events at the same time in a given frame of reference; relativity shows that simultaneity is relative.

Question 20

Relativistic Velocity Addition

Answer 20

The formula used to add velocities in a way that is consistent with the theory of special relativity

Question 21

World lines in space-time diagrams?

Answer 21

Paths through space-time, showing motion and events.

Question 22

Depicting time dilation and length contraction in diagrams?

Answer 22

Through world lines’ slope and event spacing.