Exam (elaborations)
Special Topic: Relativity and Spacetime Questions And Answers 100% Correct Latest Update
- Module
- Institution
Special Topic: Relativity and Spacetime Questions And Answers 100% Correct Latest Update
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
StudySet
Reviews received
Content preview
Special Topic: Relativity and SpacetimeQuestions And Answers 100% Correct Latest
Update
Einstein's Theories of Relativity - ANSWER • Special Theory of Relativity (1905)
- Usual notions of space and time must be revised for speeds approaching light
speed (c).
- E= mc^2
• General Theory of Relativity (1915)
- Expands the ideas of special theory to include a surprising new view of gravity
Key Ideas of Special Relativity - ANSWER • No material object can travel faster
than light.
• If you observe something moving near light speed:
- Its time slows down.
- Its length contracts in direction of motion.
- Its mass increases.
• Whether or not two events are simultaneous depends on your frame of
reference.
Postulates of special relativity - ANSWER 1. The laws of nature are the same for
everyone.
2. The speed of light is the same for everyone.
• All of relativity follows from these two ideas!
, Thought Experiments - ANSWER • Einstein explored the consequences of the
absoluteness of light speed using "thought experiments."
• The consequences will be easiest for us to visualize with thought experiments
involving spaceships in freely floating reference frames (no gravity or
acceleration).
What is relative about relativity? - ANSWER • Motion is not absolute—we must
measure speed of one object relative to another.
• Example: A plane moving at 1670 km/hr from east to west would appear from
space to be standing still.
Why can't we reach the speed of light? - ANSWER • Suppose you tried to catch
up to your own headlight beams.
• You'd always see them moving away at speed c.
• Anyone else would also see the light moving ahead of you.
Path of Ball in a Stationary Train - ANSWER • Thinking about the motion of a
ball on a train will prepare us for the next thought experiment.
Path of Ball in a Moving Train - ANSWER • Someone outside the train would
see the ball travel a longer path in one up-down cycle.
• The faster the train is moving, the longer that path would be
Time Dilation - ANSWER • We can perform a thought experiment with a light
beam replacing the ball.
• The light beam, moving at c, travels a longer path in a moving object.
• Time must be passing more slowly there.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller StudySet. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £10.15. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75323 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now