Special Relativity and Quantum Theory: Principles, Concepts, and Implications, Quizzes of Physical Education and Motor Learning

Download Special Relativity and Quantum Theory: Principles, Concepts, and Implications and more Quizzes Physical Education and Motor Learning in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Special Relativity DEFINITION 1 Understand the two principles of special relativity I: laws of physics are invariant (the same) in all inertial reference frames II: It is a law of physics that the speed of light is the same in all inertial reference frames independent of speed of the source or detector TERM 2 Special Relativty DEFINITION 2 understand what is meant by an inertial frame of reference Inertial-non accelerating frames of reference We identify an event with space-time coordinates (x,y,z,t) (space and time should be linked with one another-einstein) we can imagine a reference frame(s) with a bunch of meter sticks and clocks The same event will have different coordinates in different reference frames TERM 3 Ether DEFINITION 3 understand what the ether is (or should have been) I: laws of physics are invariant (the same) in all inertial reference frames II: It is a law of physics that the speed of light is the same in all inertial reference frames independent of speed of the source or detector Thus, ether can not be detected by experimental means; so should be discarded TERM 4 Simultaneity and the impact of special relativity DEFINITION 4 Simultaneity is not an absolute concept but one that depends on the state of motion of the observer Simultaneity is out the window. Observers in different reference frames may also measure different time intervals between a pair of events. TERM 5 Understand how mass increases, lengths contract with relativistic velocities, how velocities add DEFINITION 5 Addition of velocities doesnt work the way were used to when the velocities approach that of light nothing can go faster than the speed of light Suppose I have two velocities u and v and I want to add them togetherA man on a (very fast) motorcycle travelling 0.80 c throws a baseball forward (he has a very good arm) with a speed of 0.70 c (from his persective) How fast does the innocent bystander see the ball travelling? From Galilean perspective: 0.80 c TERM 6 Relativistic momentum DEFINITION 6 No object can travel at the speed of light only electromagnetic waves can travel at the speed of light What happens as you keep adding energy and momentum to a particle its speed increases, but only asymptotically towards c but its energy and momentum keep growing formula for momentum (p=mu) not valid for high speeds; it has to be modified (u for velocity) TERM 7 Equivalence of mass and enrygy DEFINITION 7 E=mc^2 TERM 8 General Relativity DEFINITION 8 Applies to non-inertial frames of reference as well as inertial frames of reference TERM 9 How does time dilation work in general relativity as compared to special relativity? DEFINITION 9 We said that special relativity applies for inertial frames of reference. What about for non-inertial (accelerating) frames? Thats the realm of general relativity (also by A. Einstein). His equivalence principle stated that one can not tell the difference between gravity and an accelerating frame of reference. acceleration in one direction if equal to gravity in another TERM 10 Twin Paradox DEFINITION 10 Its the twin in the spaceship who doesnt age as much The two frames of reference (the Earth and the spaceship) are not equivalent One accelerates (the spaceship) and the other doesnt