Special Relativity Flashcards

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1
Q

what are Einstein’s Postulates?

A
  1. the laws of physics are the same for all observers in any inertial reference frame
  2. the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers regardless of their motion
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2
Q

the effects at velocities of less than what are usually negligible?

A

10% of the speed of light

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3
Q

what are velocities of greater than 10% of the speed of light known as?

A

relativistic velocities

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4
Q

Galilean invariance

A

the laws of motion are true in all frames of reference

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5
Q

as the speed of light is constant for all observers, two observers viewing the same event…

A

will measure different times and distances depending on how they are moving

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6
Q

example of Newtonian relativity

A

walking in a moving train

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7
Q

how do muons prove the theory of special relativity?

A

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

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8
Q

what is time dilation?

A

a difference in a time interval as measured by a stationary observer and a moving observer

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9
Q

how to tell if it is proper length or time?

A

if it could be accurately measured

eg: technician in a spaceship could measure length accurately

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10
Q

will a stationary observer or observer moving with events measure a greater time?

A

time measured by stationary observer will be greater

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11
Q

what is the lorentz factor?

A

1/square root of 1-v squared/c squared

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12
Q

will a stationary observer or observer moving with events measure a greater length?

A

the observer moving with events will measure greater length

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13
Q

how to work out relative speed for objects moving in same direction?

A

faster speed-slower speed

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14
Q

how to work out relative speed for objects moving in opposite directions?

A

add two speeds together

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15
Q

time dilation equation

A

t’=t/ root 1- v squared/ c squared

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16
Q

length contraction equation

A

l’=l root 1- v squared/ c squared