Consequences of Special

Relativity
The consequences of space/time
mixing are:

time dilation
length contraction.
 Time Dilation
is the slowing of time as
determined by an observer who is
in relative motion with the clock.
As it is relative, the extent of
dilation depends upon the relative
velocity of the clock w.r.t. the
observer
 Time Dilation
 Time is not as absolute as it might
appear;
Time is the rate at which it passes
is different for observers in
different frames of reference.
 For example:
 Two light clocks are
synchronized at
relative rest.
Tick-tock time is T for
both of YOU and
George.
 For example:
 What happens if the
light clocks are in
relative motion?
For instance, George
is moving relative to
your IRF.
 A: You see that light travels further
for George’s clock, so his tick-tock
() lasts by your clock, longer than T.
(2nd Postulate)
What conclusion can you draw
from this example?
 A: Moving clock runs slower than
clock at rest.

“This effect is called Time dilation”

 Time Dilation
Notes:

 Dilation occurs for all clocks and

not just in light clocks.
 Effect is tiny unless the clock
moves at near the speed of light.
 George sees no change in his clock,
tick-tock T (1 Postulate)
st
Relativity of Time

Δt´=
LENGTH CONTRACTION
 Is the phenomenon of decrease
in length measured by the
observer, of an object which is
traveling at any non-zero
velocity relative to the observer.
  Length contraction is only in the
direction parallel to the direction in
which the observed body is travelling.
 This effect is negligible at everyday
speeds and can be ignored for all regular
purposes. Only at greater speeds does it
become relevant.
 At a speed of 13 400 000m/s, the
contracted length is 99.9% of the length
at rest.