Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

ISSN 1943-2429
© 2009 Ozean Publication

The Relativistic Acceleration Relations Based on Force Transformation

Md. Haider Ali Biswas and Timi Fahria Haque

Mathematics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

E-mail: mhabiswas@yahoo.com, timifahria@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Abstract: Special theory of relativity describes the motion of particles moving at close to the speed of light.
Einstein's theory is very well established as the correct description of motion of relativistic objects. In the theory of
special relativity, the Lorentz transformation replaces the Galilean transformation as the valid transformation law
between reference frames moving with respect to one another at constant velocity. Time dilation is one of the major
predictions of special relativity. In special relativity, the time dilation effect is reciprocal. The relativity principle
and the Lorentz force law enable us to cancel the Lorentz transformation and its time dilation from the main body of
special relativity theory. In this study the relativistic acceleration relations is derived using the relativistic
transformation relations for force, velocity and mass.

Keywords: special relativity, lorentz force law, lorentz transformation, time dilation
_________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION
Special relativity is the physical theory of measurement in inertial frames of reference (Einstein, 1905). It
generalizes Galileo's principle of relativity that all uniform motion is relative, and that there is no absolute and well-
defined state of rest (no privileged reference frames) from mechanics to all the laws of physics, including both the
laws of mechanics and of electrodynamics, whatever they may be (Rindler, 1977).

Einstein described how he had arrived at the two fundamental postulates on which he based the special theory of
relativity in his autobiographical notes which was published in November 1949. Under Galilean transformations we
know that the speed of light is not constant and the first postulate is the conclusion from Newtonian mechanics. The
second postulate is responsible to differentiate the classical theory and Einstein’s theory of relativity. Special
relativity incorporates the principle that the speed of light is the same for all inertial observers regardless of the state
of motion of the source (Taylor and Wheeler, 1992).

Thus for the constancy of velocity of light H. A. Lorentz introduced transformation equations relating the
observations of position and time made by two observers in two different inertial frames and are known as “Lorentz
Transformation Equations”. Einstein’s presented a derivation of Lorentz transformation which forms the basis of the
special relativity theory and he reached the ideas of kinematics length contraction and time dilation by interpreting
the physical significance of Lorentz transformation equations.

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Y Y′
•P
u

S S′

O X, X′
O′

Z Z′
Fig. 1. Two inertial frames S and S ′ ; S ′ is moving relative to S .

u
t− x
c 2 x − ut
t′ = , x′ = , y′ = y , z′ = z
2
u u2
1− 2 1− 2
c c
u
dt ′ = γ dt − dx , dx ′ = γ (dx − udt ) , dy ′ = dy , dz ′ = dz (1)
c2
1
Where γ =
u2
1− 2
c
As it’s well known Einstein’s method (Einstein, 1905) in deriving the Lorentz transformation aimed to an
interpretation of the invariance of light speed which was not included in Galilean transformation. He considered the
Cartesian points in the frame S to be the same in the frame S ′ providing that we maintain the constancy of light
speed for the movement of this point in both frames. The Lorentz transformation and its kinematics effects played an
essential role in special relativity theory formalism. This led directly to the demonstration of the essential role for
Lorentz transformation and its kinematics effects in deriving the relativistic dynamical quantities and in the
interpretation of relativistic phenomena. So many physicists are motivated to think that alternatives to special
relativity theory and a new interpretation (Prokhovnik, et. al., 1993), or even a theory alternative to special relativity
theory may be needed (Wilhelm and Hadronic, 1996).

Relativistic transformation relations for force, velocity and mass

S
In this section we will derive the relativistic transformation relations for force, velocity and mass. Consider that
and S ′ are two systems; S ′ is moving with velocity u along x-axis. Let m and m ′ be the masses of a body in S
and S ′ ; which are moving with velocities v and v ′ in S and S ′ respectively (Fig.1). Let
( x, y, z , t ) and
( x ′, y ′, z ′, t ′) be co-ordinates of a moving point P in S and S ′ are given by (v x , v y , v z ) and (v ′x , v ′y , v ′z ) .
If F is a force on a body of mass m and velocity v , then

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

d dm dv dm
F = Rate of change of momentum = (mv) = v +m =v + mv (2)
dt dt dt dt
F = iFx + jFy + kFz , v = iv x + jv y + kv z .
This gives

dm
Fx = v x + mv x
dt
dm
Fy = v y + mv y (3)
dt
dm
Fz = v z + mv z
dt

dm d m0 v du 1 m dv
= = 2
m0 3
= 2 2
v (4)
dt dt v2 c dt 2 (c − v ) dt
1− 2 v 2

c 1−
c2

v 2 = v x2 + v y2 + v z2 . (5)

Differentiating with respect to t,

v v = vx vx + v y v y + vz vz
Now equation (4) becomes

dm m(v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )
=
dt (c 2 − v 2 )
Now equation (3) becomes
m (v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )
Fx = u x + mv x
(c 2 − v 2 )
m( v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )
Fy = u y + mv y (6)
(c 2 − v 2 )
m( v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )
Fz = u z + mv z
(c 2 − v 2 )
By Lorentz transformation

dt ′ u 1
= γ 1 − 2 vx , where γ =
dt c u2
1− 2
c
In the system S ′ ,

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

d
Fx′ = (m′v x ), according to (2).
dt ′

u
m 1− vx
d c2 (v x − u ) 1 1 dm
= . . = [(v x − u ) + mv x ]
dt u2 u u u dt
1− 1 − 2 vx γ 1 − 2 vx 1 − 2 vx
c2 c c c

1 m( v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )
Fx′ = + mv x (7)
u (c 2 − v 2 )
1 − 2 vx
c
Observed that

u
(v y Fy + v z Fz )
c2
Fx − [making use of (3), we obtain ]
u
1 − 2 vx
c

u 2
(v x v x + v y v y + v z v z ) u x − v
m c2 u
= 2 2
− (v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )v x
u (c − v ) c2
1 − 2 vx
c

1 m
= (v x v x + v y v y + v z v z )(v x − u ) + mv x
u (c − v 2 )
2
1 − 2 vx
c
= Fx′ , by (7).

u2
1− 2
d d dt c
By virtue of (2), we have Fy′ = (m′v ′y ) = (m′v ′y ). = .Fy
dt ′ dt dt ′ u
1 − 2 vx
c

u2
1−
c2
Similarly, Fz′ = Fz
u
1 − 2 vx
c
dx dy dz dx′ dy ′ dz ′
vx = , vy = , vz = ; v′x = , v′y = , v′z = (8)
dt dt dt dt ′ dt ′ dt ′
Now, using Lorentz transformation, we have

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

u2 u2
vy 1− vz 1 −
dx ′ dx − udt v −u dy ′ dz ′ c2 c2
v ′x = = = x , v ′y = = , v ′z = =
dt ′ u u dt ′ u dt ′ u
dt − 2 dx 1 − 2 v x 1 − 2 vx 1 − 2 vx
c c c c
m m
m= 1
, m′ = 1
(9)
2 2
v 2 v′ 2
1− 1−
c2 c2
From (9)
1
v′2 2
1− 2
m c
=
m′ v2
1− 2
c
v′ 2 1
∴1 − 2 = 1 − 2 (v ′x2 + v ′y2 + v ′z 2 ) [ v′
2
= v ′x 2 + v ′y2 + v ′z 2 ]
c c
v2 u2
1− 2 1− 2
c c
= 2
[using the law of composition of velocities]
u
1 − 2 vx
c
1
1
v′ 2 2 u2 2
1− 1− 2
c2 c
Taking square root, =
v2 u
1− 2 1 − 2 vx
c c
Now, we get
1
u2 2 u
1− 2 m 1 − 2 vx
m c c
= or, m ′ = 1
m′ u
1 − 2 vx u2 2
c 1− 2
c
Therefore we obtain the relativistic transformation relations for force, velocity and mass as well as the relativistic
factor γ:

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

u u
Fy v y Fz v z Fy
c 2
c 2 Fz
Fx′ = Fx − − , Fy′ = , Fz′ = (10)
u u u u
1 − 2 vx 1 − 2 vx γ 1 − 2 vx γ 1 − 2 vx
c c c c

vx − u vy vz
v′x = , v′y = , v′z = (11)
u u u
1− 2 vx γ 1 − 2 vx γ 1 − 2 vx
c c c
u
m 1− vx
c2 1
m′ = 1
, γ = (12)
u2 2 u2
1− 1− 2
c2 c

The 3-vector relativistic acceleration relations

The 3-vector relativistic acceleration in special relativity theory formalism is a consequence of Lorentz
transformation and its time dilation. Hamdan and Baza derived the relativistic acceleration relations without time
dilation (Hamdan and Baza, 2004). In this study we have derived the 3-vector relativistic acceleration relations using
force transformation.

Now, from (10), let us take the equation of z-component

Fz
Fz′ = (13)
uv
γ 1 − 2x
c
Since the external electromagnetic force is equal to the rate of change in momentum with time in frame S and S ′ ,
then according to the relations describing the movement of a charged particle in an external electromagnetic field,
d (m′v ′) d (mv)
i.e., = q ( E ′ + v ′ × B ′) = q( E + v × B) (14)
dt ′ dt
It is possible to replace the Cartesian components of Lorentz force with their equivalent in relations (13).
Hence, according to the definition of Fz we could write
d (mv z ) dm dm dv
Fz = = vz + ma z = v z + ma z
dt dt dv dt
av
mv z 2
∴ Fz = = c + ma (15.1)
z
v2
1− 2
c
Similarly,
a ′v ′
m ′v ′z
Fz′ = c 2 + m′a ′ (15.2)
z
v2
1− 2
c

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

uv z a x
Now, starting from equation (15.1) and adding at the same time, subtracting the term , then we have
uv
c 2 (1 − 2x )
c

d (mv z ) uv z a x v z av uv z a x
= m az + +m
2
−
dt uv v uv
c 2 1 − 2x c2 1− c 2 1 − 2x
c c2 c

d (mv z ) uv z a x v z (a x v x + a y v y + a z v z ) uv z a x
or, = m az + +
2
−
dt uv v uv
c 2 1 − 2x c2 1− c 2 1 − 2x
c c2 c

d (mv z ) uv z a x v z a x (v x − u ) vz v y
or, = m az + +
2
+ (a y +
dt uv uv v v2
c 2 1 − 2x 2
c 1 − 2x 1− 2 2
c 1− 2
c c c c

uv y a x v z2 uv z a x
+ 2
az + (16)
2 uv v uv
c 1 − 2x 2
c 1− 2 c 2 1 − 2x
c c c
1
Now if we take equation (16) and multiplying, at the same time, dividing it by , we obtain
uv x
γ 1− 2
c

uv x 1 uv z a x v z a x (v x − u )
Fz = γ 1 − m az + + +
c2 uv uv uv
2
v2
γ 1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x c 2γ 1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c

vz v y uv y a x v z2 uv z a x
2
ay + + 2
az +
uv x v uv x uv x v uv
c 2γ 1 − 1− c2 1− c 2γ 1 − 1− c 2 1 − 2x
c2 c2 c2 c2 c2 c

Now substituting the above result in equation (13), we obtain

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

uv x 1 uv z a x v z a x (v x − u )
Fz′ = γ 1 − m az + + +
c2 uv
2
uv uv
3
v2
γ 2
1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x 2
c γ 2
1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c

vz v y uv y a x v z2
2
ay + + 2
uv v2 uv x uv v2
2
c γ 2
1 − 2x 1− 2 c2 1− 2
c γ 2
1 − 2x 1−
c c c2 c c2

uv z a x
az + (17)
uv
c 2 1 − 2x
c
2
v′ 2 1 uv x 1 2 2 u2 2 u2
∴1 − = 1− − ( v x − u ) + v y 1 − + v z 1 −
c2 uv
2
c2 c2 c2 c2
1 − 2x
c
[using equation (10)]

1 2uv x u 2 v x2 1 u2 u 2 v x2
= 2
1−
c2
+ 4 − 2
c c
(v 2
x )
+ v y2 + v z2 1 −
c2
+
c2
uv
1 − 2x
c

− 2uv x + u 2 } ]
1 u2 v2
= 2
1− 1−
uv c2 c2
1 − 2x
c

u2 v2
1− 1−
v′ 2 c2 c2
∴1 − = (18)
c2 uv
2

1 − 2x
c
1
Multiplying, at the same time, dividing the last three terms in equation (17) by 2
, we get
uv
γ2 1 − 2x
c

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

2
uv x
v z a x (v x − u )γ 2 1 −
uv x 1 uv z a x c2
Fz′ = γ 1 − m az + + +
c2 uv
2
uv uv
5
v2
γ 2
1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x c γ 2 4
1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c
2 2
2 uv 2 2 uv
vz v yγ 1 − 2x v γ z 1 − 2x
c uv y a x c
4
ay + + 4
uv v2 2 uv uv v2
2
c γ 4
1 − 2x 1− 2 c 1 − 2x 2
c γ 4
1 − 2x 1−
c c c c c2

uv z a x
az +
uv
c 2 1 − 2x
c

uv x 1 uv z a x
= γ 1− m az +
c2 uv x
2
uv
γ 2 1− c 2 1 − 2x
c2 c
2
uv x
v z a x (v x − u ) 1 −
c2 uv y a x
+ 5
+ ay +
uv x u2 v2 uv
c 2γ 4 1 − 1− 1− c 2 1 − 2x
c2 c2 c2 c

2
2 uv
v 1 − 2x
z
c uv z a x 1
+ 4
az + γ = (19)
uv u2 v2 uv u2
c 2γ 4 1 − 2x 1− 2 1− 2 c 2 1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c c
Using equation (18), equation (19) becomes

uv x 1 uv z a x v z a x (v x − u )
Fz′ = γ 1 − m az + + +
c2 uv
2
uv uv
5
v′ 2
γ 2
1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x 2
c γ 4
1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

vz v y uv y a x v z2
4
ay + + 4
uv v′2 2 uv uv v′2
2
c γ 4
1 − 2x 1− 2 c 1 − 2x 2
c γ 4
1 − 2x 1−
c c c c c2

uv z a x
az + (20)
uv
c 2 1 − 2x
c
Using equations (10)-(12), equation (20) becomes

1 uv z a x v ′z a x v ′x
Fz′ = m′ 2
az + + 3
+
uv uv uv v′ 2
γ2 1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x c 2γ 3 1 − 2x 1− 2
c c c c

v ′z v ′y uv y a x v ′z 2
2
ay + + 2
uv v′2 2 uv uv v′2
c γ 2 2
1 − 2x 1− 2 c 1 − 2x 2
c γ 2
1 − 2x 1−
c c c c c2

uv z a x
az + (21)
uv
c 2 1 − 2x
c
Comparing equation (21) with equation (15.2), we have

ax 1 uv y a x
a ′x = 3
, a ′y = 2
ay +
uv x uv x uv x
γ 3 1− γ 2 1− c2 1−
c2 c2 c2

1 uv z a x
a ′z = 2
az + (22)
uv uv
γ 2
1 − 2x c 2 1 − 2x
c c
The same result can be derived from the y and x forces.

Conclusion

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 Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(2), 2009

In this study the 3-vector relativistic acceleration relations are derived without Lorentz transformation and its time
dilation based on force transformation. Therefore these transformation relations are derived using the force
transformation and the Lorentz transformation and its role in special relativity (Hamdan, 2004) is canceled. So we
have reached a conclusion that the Lorentz transformation is not necessary in some cases and can easily be canceled
to derive these transformation relations.

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