Derivation of Time Dilation

n Imagine a light clock which

consists of two mirrors and
beam of light reflecting back
and forth between the mirror

n One “tick” is when the light

goes from one mirror to the
other and back again

n Scenario 1

n You are in the same inertial frame as the light clock

n You are therefore measuring the proper time, denoted ∆t0

n The Mirrors are separated

by distance “d”

n The light moves with a

d
speed “c”
n The proper time for one
tick is given by:

n Scenario 2

n You are in a different inertial frame to the light clock

n The light clock is moving with velocity u ms-1 in the x direction

n The path the light takes is now different as it has only a finite speed

n The time taken for one tick is denoted ∆t, the observed time

L L
d

u
n Applying Pythagorus’
theorem the length L is
given by:

n The value for the observed

time is:
n Combine the two equations
above

n Rearrange the equation for

proper time to make “d” the
subject of the equation

n Combine the two equations

above

n This equation can now be solved to make the observed time the subject of the
formula

n Square both sides and

simplify

n Collect like terms on the

same side of the equation

n Factorise the left hand side

n Rearrange to make ∆t the
subject of the formula

n Take the square root of

both sides

Quod erat demonstrandum