Week 2 Time Dilation, Einstein's Postulates & Length Contraction Flashcards
1
Q
what are Einstein’s two postulates
A
speed of light is constant for all observers/inertial frames of reference
Identical isolated experiments in different inertial frames deliver identical results
2
Q
what are the 3 consequences of Einstein’s speed of light postulate
A
A measures light to approach B at speed c+v
A measures that light travels at c
B measures that light travels at c
3
Q
what consequence of Einstein’s postulates is proven via a light clock experiment
A
time ticks at different rates for different observers
4
Q
what is normally defined as gamma and is very commonly >1
A
gamma = 1 / sqrt( 1 - v^2/c^2 )
5
Q
define time dilation
A
moving clocks (objects) run slower
6
Q
what is the general length contraction formula
A
L = L0 / gamma
