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Lecture notes

Class notes Special Relativity

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A great introduction to the very complex idea of special relativity. The trick is not to solve problems based off of logic, but simply getting the hang of manipulating the question to gain clues. It stars off with basic Galilean Transformations and then leads to the familiar Lorentz transforms. The idea of simultaneity, where it cannot be possible in two different frames of reference will also be discussed. While time and length don’t appear the same at really high speeds, all observers agree on a quantity combing space and time. Best of luck!

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, Lec 1 : Introduction 04/10/22


Symmetry Principles
↑
·



change smth but doesn't change (i rotating square 90 %
. e




#⑪evenbetterasitdoest
1) Laws of
physics invariant .t
w r .
location

Nother's Theorem research bit (not successful 101)
Emmy
-s a




↳ifI have symmprinciple cons lawy
accompanying
>
-
.




= conservation of momentum
(ans that
· laws of physics do not depend on where you are
5




2) Laws of
physics invariant w r
. .
t time

=> conservation of
energy

3) Laws of physics -

11-orientation

conservation of
angular momentum
=

, either frame can be declared as "Stationary"
all that matters relatively
S is
they to
=
* more
each other
-
1) Laws of
physics invariant w r . .
t uniform relative motion

↳ relative
velocity constant

⑭
=


x G
= Q &




·, relative acceleration = O between frames

t+)
A
event measured & we get special case of relativity
train observer
by
which frame of ref is
* no ABSOLUTE standard of rest
=>
in motion up to us


Coordinate systems Lie .
w/ Earth etc )
platform
"Stationary moving along
:
,




orientate co-ordinate systems fit to reduce
complexity of problem
>
-
>
can our as we see

> can
-


"zero" our co-ordinate system) for convenience

>
"zero" time for our convenience
-

can




"Galilean Transformation"

>
-


translation btw S and
...... Withtrain
S'Coordinate dinate continuously insensing
as seen in a




S
3= x' + vtdistance it goes in frame

·
at some
point train t platform will
allig an x-axis

↓
Event 1 0 x= 0 t t 0
,
: =
x = = 0
,
,




in atto
des same disease
Gx x =



laser
beam
at same
speed

, if have observer ?
train speed u' how fast
according to
·




passenge
we on
, ,




U'
U =


Y
+
No velocity btw two frames

observer in S
speed of
wir.t train




Maxwell's equations predict speed of light (electromagnetism related)
·




* <
= no Y should not depend on URM
. .
= CONTRADICTION W/ "Galilean Transformation"

↳
equations tell us how E & B fields act moving E can induce B field ,
and viceversa > loop -
self-propagating wave of
electromagnetism
Elight
, ~


Schange in B- changes E
> changes
speed
-




Michelson Morley could be affected
Exp =
thought lightwave by "aether wind"
-




,

>
-

disturbance aether like wh of air


· >
-

no
change in speed of light was recorded
by interferometer
46 months apart
·
if there is
any
effect of relative motion , affecting speed of light we should be able to detect it ?
·
measure > by combining light beams looking for changes interference
in pattern
> months later when
does observed change when Earth goes one
way compared to moving in opposite direction in orbit
·
<

=>if both Maxwell and Galileo are correct then thee should be diff in <


postulatrelativity
2) "("invariant w r.
.
t uniform relative motion

in
>
-
0 . 9C
-
------
-

L C




·
observer still sees
'c'travelling at same
speed

Document information

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Unknown
Uploaded on
February 22, 2025
Number of pages
31
Written in
2022/2023
Type
Lecture notes
Professor(s)
Dr coel hellier
Contains
All classes
£10.99

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