Gravity and General Relativity

(PEU 453), Fall 2016

Assignment # 1

Due October 2

(1) Prove that the interval between two events (S)2 , is invariant under Poincare trans-
formations (Lorenz transformation followed by space-time translation).

(2) a) If two events are separated by a space-like interval, show that

i) there exists a Lorentz frame in which they are simultaneous, and
ii) in no Lorentz frame do they occur at the same point.
b) If two events are separated by a time-like interval, show that
i) there exists a frame in which they happen at the same point, and
ii) in no Lorentz frame are they simultaneous.
c) Draw spacetime diagrams.

(3) (The general Lorenz transformation)

Hobson, et al Problem 1.5.

(4) Assume that the relative velocity between two inertial frames K0 and K1 is v1 , and
between the two inertial frames K1 and K2 is v2 . The three reference frames are in
colinear motion along their respective x-axes.
a) Prove that the transformation from K0 to K2 is a Lorentz transformation, i.e.
2 1 = is a Lorentz transformation.
b) Prove that the rule of addition of velocities in special relativity is given by
v1 + v2
v= ,
1 + v1 v2 /c2
where v is the velocity of the frame K2 w.r.to K0 .
1
(5) (a) Prove that the 3-gradient i = (x , y , z ) is a vector under the spatial rotations,
2 2 2
while the Laplacian i i = x2 + y 2 + z 2 is scalar under rotation.

b) Prove that the 4-gradient a = (0 , x , y , z ) is a 4-vector under Lorentz trans-

formation, while the DAlembertian operator (four dimensional Laplacian) a a =
1 2 2 2 2
c2 t2
x 2 y 2 z 2 is scalar under Lorentz transformation.