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Special Topic: Relativity and Spacetime Questions And Answers 100% Correct Latest Update
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Special Topic: Relativity and Spacetime Questions And Answers 100% Correct Latest Update
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Special Topic: Relativity and SpacetimeQuestions And Answers 100% Correct Latest
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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.
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