Special Relativity
Special relativity developed by Einstein is, “the mechanics of objects moving at high velocities, near the speed of light” (Cliffs notes 2012, p. 1). Einstein identified that Newton’s laws only applied where there was no acceleration and a constant velocity was used, this is referred to as an inertial reference frame (Gulliver 2011, p. 8). Einstein claims that all motion is relative, hence;
1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames
2. The speed of light is the same regardless of the frame of reference of the observer
This theory was supported by the laws proposed by Einstein including time dilation and Lorentz contraction. Time dilation is, “the effect that the clock is running slower than an identical stationary clock” (Cliff’s notes 2012, p.1). This is evident in the expression;
∆t= (∆t_0)/√(1-v^2/c^2 )
By applying a degree of logic it is evident that to the observer in the moving frame no change in time can be detected. For instance a person in a moving car sees stationary objects such as trees moving and them as stationary, hence logically we know that the car is really moving but due to our reference frame time dilation is evident. In addition Lorentz equation refers to when an object moving appears shorted o the stationary observer. For instance a surfer’s board is 2 m and appears that way to him, however to the observer on the shore it appears shortened to perhaps only 1.5 m. This is due to the reference frames of the two participants and is expressed below;
l=l_0 √(1-v^2/c^2 )
Thus both time and distance is altered in these reference frames; however the speed of light is always constant. Thus reinforcing that no wave or particle can travel faster than the speed of light, this is modeled by the equation (where m is the mass (kg) and c is the speed of light). Additionally Einstein identified that light was made up of photons, which are minuscule amounts of energy. Einstein disputed Quantum theory as it contradicted with the laws of special relativity and thus hindering his contribution to the theory in the future.
1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames
2. The speed of light is the same regardless of the frame of reference of the observer
This theory was supported by the laws proposed by Einstein including time dilation and Lorentz contraction. Time dilation is, “the effect that the clock is running slower than an identical stationary clock” (Cliff’s notes 2012, p.1). This is evident in the expression;
∆t= (∆t_0)/√(1-v^2/c^2 )
By applying a degree of logic it is evident that to the observer in the moving frame no change in time can be detected. For instance a person in a moving car sees stationary objects such as trees moving and them as stationary, hence logically we know that the car is really moving but due to our reference frame time dilation is evident. In addition Lorentz equation refers to when an object moving appears shorted o the stationary observer. For instance a surfer’s board is 2 m and appears that way to him, however to the observer on the shore it appears shortened to perhaps only 1.5 m. This is due to the reference frames of the two participants and is expressed below;
l=l_0 √(1-v^2/c^2 )
Thus both time and distance is altered in these reference frames; however the speed of light is always constant. Thus reinforcing that no wave or particle can travel faster than the speed of light, this is modeled by the equation (where m is the mass (kg) and c is the speed of light). Additionally Einstein identified that light was made up of photons, which are minuscule amounts of energy. Einstein disputed Quantum theory as it contradicted with the laws of special relativity and thus hindering his contribution to the theory in the future.
References
Cliffs notes 2012, “Modern physics”, Wiley and sons Inc., viewed 13th October 2012, <www.cliffsnotes.com/studyguide/Relativity.topicArticleId-10453,articleId-10445.html>
Gulliver, J 2011, Special relativity, teacher notes, St John Fisher College, Brisbane, October, pp. 5-8
Gulliver, J 2011, Special relativity, teacher notes, St John Fisher College, Brisbane, October, pp. 5-8