Notes - Relativity Flashcards
Problem with Newtonian Thoery
Experiments have shown that no matter how much force is placed on an electron, it cannot go faster than the speed of light (force does not equal ma)
Speed of light
3 x 10^8 m/s
Does Newtonian Theory work?
As long as the object’s speed is less than the speed of light, it does.
However, as it starts to approach the speed of light interesting things occur.
Non-Simultaneity
Two observers moving relative to each other will measure different outcomes for the same event
Frame of reference
Where you see an event taking place
Inertial Reference Frame
Any reference frame in which Newtonian Physics is vaild,
Any Reference frame in which objects that experience no forces move in a stright line and at a constant speed
2 Postulates of Relativity
- All laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames
- Speed of light is always the same
Equation for adding velocity
look at it
Length Contraction
Moving things get shorter ALONG LINE OF MOTION
Time dialation
Moving clocks run slower
Length Contraction formula
look at it
Time dialation formula
look at it
Einstein’s Equation
E=mc^2
What does E=mc^2 tell us
The energy correspoing to mass at rest, mass and energy are two sides of the same coin
Rest Energy
The energy a particle has by simply being a particle, aka mass-energy
