SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

Important Formulas
Derivations on Special Theory of Relativity
Instructor: Mr. Kim Diate

Time Dilation

Figure 1: On the frame of reference inside the train.

Let us derive an expression for ∆t0 . This is the time measured by the observer riding on a train
that is moving at constant velocity ⃗u.

• Recall the basic equation for the velocity

displacement
velocity =
time
Since the velocity in this case is the speed of light (c), we have

d
c=
∆t0
Also note that the total displacement (d) is 2L0 .
Thus, we have the equation
2L0
c=
∆t0
The time (t0 ) measured by you on the train is given by

2L0
∆t0 =
c

From this equation, we will find an expression for L0 .

 
c 2L0
∆t0 =
2 c

c∆t0
L0 = ← Equation 1
2

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 SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

Figure 2: On the frame of reference outside the train.

• Now, consider how the observer outside the train describe the same event. In the outside
observer’s frame of reference, the beam of light travelled a bent path along the direction of
the train’s motion.

• According to the observer outside the train...

d
v=
t
2L
v=
∆t
Since (v = c)
2L
c=
∆t
Finding an expression for L gives.
 
∆t 2L
c=
2 ∆t
c∆t
L= ← [Equation 2 ]
2

• We are going to solve for the length (L). We can use Pythagorean Theorem since we have
a right triangle in Figure 2.
 2
2 u∆t
L = L20 +
2
 2
2 u∆t
L = L20 +
2
s  2
u∆t
L= L20 + ← [Equation 3]
2

• Equate [Equation 2] and [Equation 3]. This gives ...

s  2
c∆t 2 u∆t
= L0 +
2 2

Square both sides of the equation.

s 2
 2  2
c∆t u∆t
= L20 + 
2 2

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 SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

2
c2 ∆t2

2 u∆t
= L0 +
4 2
c2 ∆t2 u2 ∆t2
 
= L20 + ← [Equation 4]
4 4
• Note that L0 for the observer on the train and outside the train is actually the same. Therefore,
you can equate this equations together.
Substitute [Equation 1] into [Equation 4].
2
c2 ∆t2 u2 ∆t2
  
c∆t0
= +
4 2 4
c2 ∆t2 c2 ∆t20 u2 ∆t2
   
= +
4 4 4

Combine like terms (i.e., combine the terms with ∆t on the left side of the equation).

c2 ∆t2
 2 2  2 2
u ∆t c ∆t0
− =
4 4 4
2
Factor out common terms ( ∆t4 ).

∆t2  2 c2 ∆t20
 
c − u2 =

4 4

Multiply both sides of the equation by 4

c2
.

4 ∆t2  2
   2 2 
2
 4 c ∆t0
2
c −u = 2
c 4 c 4

c2 − u 2
 
2
∆t = ∆t20
c2
u2
 
∆t 1 − 2 = ∆t20
2
c
h 2
i
Divide both sides of the equation by 1 − uc2

∆t20
∆t2 =  2
1 − uc2

Take the square root for both sides of the equation.

s
√ ∆t20
∆t2 = 2
1 − uc2


s
1
∆t = ∆t0 2  ← Time Dilation Equation
1 − uc2


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 SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

Length Contraction

From the frame of reference (O), this is the stationary observer at rests on the platform or laboratory.
This frame (O) observes the moving frame (O’).

• According to the frame of reference, O. The length between the source of light and the
mirror is L.

• According to the moving frame (O’) with respect to (O), the beam of light was emitted
when it reached point A. Thus, in a small time interval (∆t1 ), it has travelled a distance of
⃗u∆t1 . The total distance covered by light at this time interval is given by

c∆t1 = L + u∆t1 ← [Equation 1]

• In addition, according to the observer on O’, at a time interval (∆t2 ), the light has returned
and thus, its distance covered is given by

c∆t2 = L − ⃗u∆t2 ← [Equation 2]

• Solve for ∆t1 and ∆t2 from [Equation 1] and [Equation 2].

L + u∆t1
∆t1 =
c
L − u∆t2
∆t2 =
c

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 SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

Combine the two equations above to solve for the ∆t.

∆t = ∆t1 + ∆t2

Thus, ∆t is given by

L L
∆t = +
c−u c+u
Factoring out L yields,
 
1 1
∆t = L +
c−u c+u

Utilize the least common denominator (LCD) of the expression above.

 
(c + u) + (c − u)
∆t = L
(c − u)(c + u)
 
c+u+c−u
∆t = L
(c − u)(c + u)
 
2c
∆t = L
(c − u)(c + u)
 
1
∆t = 2Lc ← [Equation 3]
(c − u)(c + u)
Recall the difference of two squares.

(a + b)(a − b) = (a2 − b2 )

This means that we can simplify [Equation 3] into ...

 
1
∆t = 2Lc 2
c − u2

Multiple both the numerator and denominator of the RHS by 1/c2 . This results to ...
  1
1 2
∆t = 2Lc 2 2
· c1
c −u c2
  !
1 1
∆t = (2Lc) 2 c2 −u2
c c2
  !
2L 1
∆t = 2 ← [Equation 4]
c 1 − uc2

• Equate [Equation 4] with the equation for time dilation above. This results to...
s   !
1 2L 1
∆t0 2 = 2
1 − uc2 c 1 − uc2

However, the square root term can be expressed as an exponent.

!1/2   !
1 2L 1
∆t0 2 = 2
1 − uc2 c 1 − uc2

Recall that according to our previous derivation for time dilation, t0 can be expressed as

2L0
∆t0 =
c
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 SED 128 - Modern Physics for Teachers

Thus, the equation above results to ...

!1/2   !
2L0 1 2L 1
2 = 2
c 1 − uc2 c 1 − uc2

Multiply both sides by c/2.

 !1/2 !
h c i 2L  
 0 1 2L 1
2 = 2

2 c 1 − uc2 c 1 − uc2
 !1/2 !
   
c
 2
L0 1 2
L 1
2 = 2

2
c
1 − uc2 c
1 − uc2

This simplifies to ...

!1/2
1 L
L0 u2
= 2
1 − c2 (1 − uc2 )
 2
1
1 − uc2
(L0 ) 2
1/2
=L
1 − uc2

Recall the division of an exponent in algebra.

am
n
= am−n
a
Thus, the above expression reduces to

1−1/2
u2

L = L0 1 − 2
c
1/2
u2

L = L0 1 − 2
c
r
u2
L = L0 1− ← [Equation for Length contraction]
c2

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