SPECIAL RELATIVITY

EIVAN MARK S. SIGUA

LESSON OBJECTIVES
• State and explain both of Einstein’s postulates;
• Explain what an inertial frame of reference is;
• Describe one way the speed of light can be changed;
• Describe simultaneity and time dilation;
• Calculate γ;
• Compare proper time and the observer’s measured time; and
• Explain why the twin paradox is a false paradox.
• Describe proper length.
• Calculate length contraction.
• Explain why we do not notice these effects at everyday scales.
EINSTEIN’S POSTULATES
• First Postulate
• Reference frames
• Inertial Reference Frame: An inertial frame of reference is a reference frame in
which a body at rest remains at rest and a body in motion moves at a constant speed
in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force.
• The laws of physics are the same and can be stated in their simplest form in all inertial
frames of reference.
• Second Postulate
• Speed of Light
• The speed of light c is a constant, independent of the relative motion of the source.
SIMULTANEITY

Two events are defined to be

simultaneous if an observer
measures them as occurring at
the same time (such as by
receiving light from the events).
Two events are not necessarily
simultaneous to all observers.
TIME DILATION

• Time dilation is the phenomenon

of time passing slower for an
observer who is moving relative to
another observer.
• Proper time is the time measured
by an observer at rest relative to
the event being observed.
LENGTH CONTRACTION
• Length contraction 𝐿 is
the shortening of the
measured length of an
object moving relative to
the observer’s frame.
• Proper length 𝐿0 is the
distance between two
points measured by an
observer who is at rest
relative to both of the
points.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. What is 𝛾 if 𝑣=0.650𝑐?
2. A particle travels at 1.90×108m/s and lives 2.10×10−8s when at rest
relative to an observer. How long does the particle live as viewed in the
laboratory?
3. A particle is traveling through the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed
of 0.750𝑐. To an Earth-bound observer, the distance it travels is 2.50
km. How far does the particle travel in the particle’s frame of
reference?
REFERENCES
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https://byjus.com/physics/einsteins-explaination/
• Introduction to Modern Physics - Walecka.pdf. (n.d.)
• Meredith, W. J. (1969). Introduction to modern physics. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 15(6), 591–591.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09553006914550931
• Nolan, P. J. (2006). Fundamentals of Modern Physics First edition. Physics Curriculum & Instruction, Inc.
Www.PhysicsCurriculum.Com, (October), 1–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-018308-4.50003-1
• OpenStax. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2020, from https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics-ap-courses
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https://byjus.com/physics/relativity/
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https://byjus.com/physics/quantum-mechanics/