Amanda Dorsey Faranak Islam Jose Guevara Patrick Conlin
Slide 2
Outline Creation of special relativity Why it was created Two
postulates Predictions Length contraction Time dilation Impact Then
Now In the future
Slide 3
Special Relativity Introduction In 1905 Albert Einstein wrote
On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies Special relativity is a
theory that describes space and time based on inertial frames of
reference frames of reference in which all the laws of physics are
followed
Slide 4
Why was the theory of special relativity created? Galilean
transformations x=x-vt y=y z=z t=t Maxwells equations did not work
with the transformations Einstein set out to create a consistent
theory for electrodynamics
Slide 5
Postulates/Restrictions 1. There is no preferred frame The laws
of physics are the same in all inertial frames 2. The constancy of
the speed of light The speed of light is a universal constant
Restrictions Linear motion Constant velocity Negligible
gravitation
Slide 6
Lorentz Transformations
Slide 7
Predictions Properties: 1) Relativity of simultaneity
Phenomena: 1) Length contraction 2) Time dilation
Slide 8
Relativity of Simultaneity Two simultaneous events in one frame
may not be simultaneous in another frame
Slide 9
Length Contraction As velocities near the speed of light, an
object will appear shorter to an observer in an inertial frame Ex:
A spaceship traveling near the speed of light 10% speed of light
86.5% speed of light
Slide 10
Time Dilation Clocks in a moving frame of reference tick slower
than clocks in a stationary frame. Ex) Airplanes flying around the
Earth Traveling east, the clock would run slower relative to a
stationary clock on the earth Traveling west, the clocks would run
faster relative to a stationary clock on the earth
Slide 11
Theoretical Extension As energy is added to the particles (ex:
by heating), the box gains mass
Slide 12
What is the impact of the theory of special relativity? Present
applications GPS satellites Space travel Necessary for the study of
high energy physics and other fields (ex. Cosmology) In the future
Time travel forward through time More advanced space travel
Slide 13
Conclusion General relativity was then created 10 years later
and included everything- nonlinear motion, acceleration,
gravitation, etc. Special relativity is now a worldwide accepted
theory used of describing the world Succeeded in creating a
consistent theory for electrodynamics Changed the definition of
time and space
Slide 14
Thank you! References Special relativity. Dictionary.com
Unabridged. Retrieved October 08, 2013 from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/special
relativityhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/special relativity
H. Lorentz, A. Einstein, H. Minkowsky. The Principle of Relativity,
Methuen, London, 35 (1923). Albert Einstein Photo. Funny Pun
Punology. Retrieved November 25, 2013 from
http://www.funny-joke-pictures.com/2013/03/funny-pun-punology-caption-
pictures.html#ixzz2liUvsWCS
http://www.funny-joke-pictures.com/2013/03/funny-pun-punology-caption-
pictures.html#ixzz2liUvsWCS Koks, Don. What is relativistic mass?.
Retrieved November 25, 2013 from
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/mass.html
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/mass.html
Thornton, Stephen; Rex, Andrew. Special Theory of Relativity.
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers: 4 th edition.:2013.
Relativistic Length Contraction. The Physics classroom: 2013.
Retrieved November 29, 2013 from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/specrel/lc.cfm
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/specrel/lc.cfm
