A Test For Length Contraction

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "A Test For Length Contraction"

Transcription

1 Rothwell Bronrowan The history of recent physics, by which I refer to the past 120 years give or take ten, has been deeply influenced by a theory separately proposed in the late 1880s and early 1890s by the Irish physicist George Francis FitzGerald ( ) and the Dutch mathematician and physicist Hendrik Antoon Lorentz ( ). This is the theory of length contraction. The theory has it that the length of a body travelling in space shortens along the direction of motion, and that this shortening increases with the increasing velocity of the body up to a maximum speed equal to (almost) c, the speed of light, at which speed the body will be effectively flat. Many people take the view that that we can never know whether length contraction exists or not, since our rulers are also said to expand and shrink along the line of motion of our planet. And since we are therefore unable to measure any difference, how can we ever know? In this paper I will propose a test for length contraction. I will also show, on the basis of a previous proposal, that the concept is not as straightforward as many people think. Length contraction is one of the pillars of relativity. It was the starting point from which Lorentz went on to develop his Lorentz translations, which in turn gave rise to other pillars of relativity - time dilation, mass increase and frames of reference. This makes it an important theory. It is also a theory associated with much confusion. Initially derived solely to compensate for the zero result of the famous Michelson- Morley experiment - which was conducted to verify the existence of the ether, but failed to do so - length contraction was an attempt to save the ether theory, in which both FitzGerald and Lorentz believed. A short time later it was taken over by Einstein, who integrated it in his own calculations. Einstein saw no need for the ether, however, which he simply dismissed. In other words, the theory that length contraction was initially intended to save was dismissed, but the argument proposed solely to defend this theory was kept! (5)

2 Within the past ten years other scientists have published works claiming that the Michelson-Morley experiment did not record a zero result, i.e. that it did effectively prove the existence of the ether. This removes the very need for the proposal of length contraction in the first place. And yet, a number these scientists 1 also integrate length contraction into their own theories. The test suggested here is not my first attempt to provide evidence for or against length contraction. In an earlier paper 2 I proposed a method of testing for it by comparing the distances between the earth and the moon, a) when the planets are travelling such that an imaginary line joining their centres is at an angle of 90 to their direction(s) of motion, and b) when this imaginary line coincides with their direction of motion. In the situation described under "a)", there would be no contraction along the imaginary line, whereas under "b)" there would, the latter case implying that, since the planets were contracted, the distance separating them would be greater. The contraction effect would have increased the distance between their surfaces by at least 4 cm (probably much more), which - given the current accuracy of earth-moondistance measurements of 2.5 cm - would have been measurable. Planets, however, are not solid bodies as such, but are effectively mixtures of different materials which cannot be expected to contract such that this contraction would be passed on to the planet surfaces. This is explained in the following illustrations. Fig. 1 1 Professor Reginald T. Cahill and Victor V. Demjanov, for example. 2 An Experiment for Length Contraction, Rothwell Bronrowan, the General Science Journal, , CORRECTED ON (5)

3 Fig. 2 Fig. 1 shows the "normal" particles making up the planet, whereas Fig. 2 depicts them contracted. In the latter case only a part of the contraction will be evident at the surface of the planet, since further contraction will be prevented due to contact with neighbouring particles. This becomes still clearer in the following two illustration: Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 3 shows "normal" particles at the surface of the planet in contact with each other, while Fig. 4 shows the same particles under contraction. Because of the contact still existing between them, any contraction would tend to take place on the central (here (5)

4 vertical) axis of the particles. This implies that the contraction would be both outwards and inwards, creating "hollows" within the planets and minimizing the contraction effect at their surfaces. This in turn raises the question as to what types of solid objects are subject to length contraction. The "contracting" arm in Michelson's experiment was made of brass. This at least has to be seen as contractible, since otherwise the whole argument for length contraction, as developed by Lorentz, becomes invalid. That the proverbial "spaceship" often referred to in length-contraction arguments would itself be contractible, by contrast, seems highly unlikely. At any rate, another experiment must now be found. A new experimental setup is therefore outlined in the following illustration:! Conductor Current Brass Frame Support Fig. 5 Fig. 5 shows the sectional front elevation of an experimental setup that is theoretically capable of detecting any length contraction. This has two identical solid brass objects, each consisting of one spherical end extending into a rod which ends at the opposite side in a sectional T-shape. All three of these components (sphere, rod and T) are actually round. The brass objects are housed in a nonconducting frame with two ball bearings (shown in pink) for further support. Current (shown in red) is passed through a conductor (shown in green) to the brass rods and can only travel further by passing through the brass object to the conducting material on the inside of the frame, which transports it back through the interior of the frame to a measuring device above (not shown). The level of contact between surfaces of the brass "T-sections" and the interior conductor material is variable (perhaps on the basis of various sizes of feathered ball bearings or feathered pins) and depends on the pressure acting on these sections in the direction of the conductor material, i.e. the greater the pressure the greater the contact and the higher the current flow. To establish this pressure the entire setup is rotated. The pressure level can then be adjusted by altering the speed of rotation (5)

5 The idea behind the experiment is that, once a sensitive speed of rotation (preferably as low as possible) has been found, length contraction effects should be traceable in the form of increased current flow every time the brass elements are in line with the direction of motion of the earth, since in this position they will exhibit maximum contraction, this increasing the pressure of the "T-sections" on the conductor material. The spherical "weighted ends" are intended to ensure that any momentum effects will tend to further enhance current flow, rather than reduce it. No significant current differences associated with a specific direction of motion would suggest no length contraction. Any such zero result would require further testing of the sensitivity of the device - e.g. by using magnets as substitutes for direction of motion - to ensure that an external effect of similar magnitude can be recorded. The use of brass is only proposed because this was the material used by Michelson. A better alternative in terms of conduction, etc. need not be excluded on this basis. The experiment would probably be best performed in a vacuum. This paper is a call for experimentation to verify or disprove length contraction. It takes the view that, if it is possible to test for it, we should do so instead of continuing to discuss the matter inconclusively for a further hundred years. The experimental setup suggested here is just one proposal. * (5)

Before we work on deriving the Lorentz transformations, let's first look at the classical Galilean transformation.

Before we work on deriving the Lorentz transformations, let's first look at the classical Galilean transformation. Background The curious "failure" of the Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887 to determine the motion of the earth through the aether prompted a lot of physicists to try and figure out why. The first attempt

More information

CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity-part 1

CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity-part 1 CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity-part 1 2.1 The Apparent Need for Ether 2.2 The Michelson-Morley Experiment 2.3 Einstein s Postulates 2.4 The Lorentz Transformation 2.5 Time Dilation and Length Contraction

More information

Relativity. An explanation of Brownian motion in terms of atoms. An explanation of the photoelectric effect ==> Quantum Theory

Relativity. An explanation of Brownian motion in terms of atoms. An explanation of the photoelectric effect ==> Quantum Theory Relativity Relativity In 1905 Albert Einstein published five articles in Annalen Der Physik that had a major effect upon our understanding of physics. They included:- An explanation of Brownian motion

More information

On GRB And The M&L Universe

On GRB And The M&L Universe Rothwell Bronrowan physbron@t-online.de This paper contains some new ideas on the universe. The Background On 23rd April 2009 (090423 backwards) a 10-second gamma-ray burst (GRB) was recorded by the NASA

More information

Notes de lecture 357 PROCESS PHYSICS: FROM INFORMATION THEORY TO QUANTUM SPACE AND MATTER

Notes de lecture 357 PROCESS PHYSICS: FROM INFORMATION THEORY TO QUANTUM SPACE AND MATTER Notes de lecture 357 PROCESS PHYSICS: FROM INFORMATION THEORY TO QUANTUM SPACE AND MATTER Process Physics: From Information Theory to Quantum Space and Matter, Reginald T. Cahill, ; in book series Contemporary

More information

Space, Time and Simultaneity

Space, Time and Simultaneity PHYS419 Lecture 11: Space, Time & Simultaneity 1 Space, Time and Simultaneity Recall that (a) in Newtonian mechanics ( Galilean space-time ): time is universal and is agreed upon by all observers; spatial

More information

A New, Universal Frame Of Reference

A New, Universal Frame Of Reference Rothwell Bronrowan physbron@t-online.de This paper begins with an example chosen to indicate the difficulties associated with determining which of several plausible, alternative frames of reference - if

More information

Derivation of Special Theory of Relativity from Absolute Inertial Reference Frame

Derivation of Special Theory of Relativity from Absolute Inertial Reference Frame Derivation of Special Theory of Relativity from Absolute Inertial Reference Frame: Michelson-Morley Experiment, Lorentz Contraction, Transverse Doppler Red-Shift, Time Dilation Justin Lee October 8 th,

More information

JF Theoretical Physics PY1T10 Special Relativity

JF Theoretical Physics PY1T10 Special Relativity JF Theoretical Physics PY1T10 Special Relativity 12 Lectures (plus problem classes) Prof. James Lunney Room: SMIAM 1.23, jlunney@tcd.ie Books Special Relativity French University Physics Young and Freedman

More information

Physics. Special Relativity

Physics. Special Relativity Physics Special Relativity 1 Albert Einstein, the high school dropout and patent office clerk published his ideas on Special Relativity in 1905. 2 Special vs. General Relativity Special Relativity deals

More information

Twin paradox and Einstein mistake

Twin paradox and Einstein mistake Twin paradox and Einstein mistake a mathematical approach Based on the book: Logic in the Universe Victor Orsini The Michelson-Morley experiment showed inadvertently that the speed of light is constant.

More information

Special Theory of Relativity. A Brief introduction

Special Theory of Relativity. A Brief introduction Special Theory of Relativity A Brief introduction Classical Physics At the end of the 19th century it looked as if Physics was pretty well wrapped up. Newtonian mechanics and the law of Gravitation had

More information

Unit- 1 Theory of Relativity

Unit- 1 Theory of Relativity Unit- 1 Theory of Relativity Frame of Reference The Michelson-Morley Experiment Einstein s Postulates The Lorentz Transformation Time Dilation and Length Contraction Addition of Velocities Experimental

More information

2.1 The Ether and the Michelson-Morley Experiment

2.1 The Ether and the Michelson-Morley Experiment Chapter. Special Relativity Notes: Some material presented in this chapter is taken The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. I by R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, and M. Sands, Chap. 15 (1963, Addison-Wesley)..1

More information

copyright december 2008 by Steve Waterman all rights reserved A well known problem re-worded...where is the missing ten bucks?

copyright december 2008 by Steve Waterman all rights reserved A well known problem re-worded...where is the missing ten bucks? Challenge to the Mathematical Validity of the Voigt Transformation Equations and Hence the Theory of Relativity. swaterman@watermanpolyhedron.com [ introduction ] copyright december 2008 by Steve Waterman

More information

The True Nature of the Special Relativity Light Clock. Copyright 2012 Joseph A. Rybczyk

The True Nature of the Special Relativity Light Clock. Copyright 2012 Joseph A. Rybczyk The True Nature of the Special Relativity Light Clock Copyright 2012 Joseph A. Rybczyk Abstract It is generally believed that the light clock typically associated with special relativity correlates the

More information

Chapter 26 Special Theory of Relativity

Chapter 26 Special Theory of Relativity Chapter 26 Special Theory of Relativity Classical Physics: At the end of the 19 th century, classical physics was well established. It seems that the natural world was very well explained. Newtonian mechanics

More information

Introduction to Relativity & Time Dilation

Introduction to Relativity & Time Dilation Introduction to Relativity & Time Dilation The Principle of Newtonian Relativity Galilean Transformations The Michelson-Morley Experiment Einstein s Postulates of Relativity Relativity of Simultaneity

More information

Review Special Relativity. February 3, Absolutes of Relativity. Key Ideas of Special Relativity. Path of Ball in a Moving Train

Review Special Relativity. February 3, Absolutes of Relativity. Key Ideas of Special Relativity. Path of Ball in a Moving Train February 3, 2009 Review Special Relativity General Relativity Key Ideas of Special Relativity No material object can travel faster than light If you observe something moving near light speed: Its time

More information

TITLE: AN EXPERIMENT AGAINST RELATIVITY INTERACTIVE DEPENDENCY

TITLE: AN EXPERIMENT AGAINST RELATIVITY INTERACTIVE DEPENDENCY Page:1 TITLE: AN EXPERIMENT AGAINST RELATIVITY INTERACTIVE DEPENDENCY (A NEW STORY OF THE PRESENT PHYSICS - THE FAILURE OF RELATIVITY LEADS THE PRESENT PHYSICS FROM TIME DILATION TO NO TIME.) AUTHER: BANDARU

More information

In defence of classical physics

In defence of classical physics In defence of classical physics Abstract Classical physics seeks to find the laws of nature. I am of the opinion that classical Newtonian physics is real physics. This is in the sense that it relates to

More information

Modern Physics. Third Edition RAYMOND A. SERWAY CLEMENT J. MOSES CURT A. MOYER

Modern Physics. Third Edition RAYMOND A. SERWAY CLEMENT J. MOSES CURT A. MOYER Modern Physics Third Edition RAYMOND A. SERWAY CLEMENT J. MOSES CURT A. MOYER 1 RELATIVITY 1.1 Special Relativity 1.2 The Principle of Relativity, The Speed of Light 1.3 The Michelson Morley Experiment,

More information

Chapter 36 The Special Theory of Relativity. Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Chapter 36 The Special Theory of Relativity. Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 36 The Special Theory of Relativity Units of Chapter 36 Galilean Newtonian Relativity The Michelson Morley Experiment Postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity Simultaneity Time Dilation and

More information

The Greatest Failure of the Scientific Method - Special Relativity. Copyright Joseph A. Rybczyk

The Greatest Failure of the Scientific Method - Special Relativity. Copyright Joseph A. Rybczyk The Greatest Failure of the Scientific Method - Special Relativity Copyright 207 Joseph A. Rybczyk Abstract It is only a matter of time when the scientific authorities will have to face the inevitable

More information

More Relativity: The Train and The Twins

More Relativity: The Train and The Twins previous index next More Relativity: The Train and The Twins Michael F owler, UVa Physics, 11/28/07 Einstein s Definition of Common Sense As you can see from the lectures so far, although Einstein s Theory

More information

Einstein for Everyone Lecture 3: Special Relativity

Einstein for Everyone Lecture 3: Special Relativity Einstein for Everyone Lecture 3: Special Relativity Dr. Erik Curiel Munich Center For Mathematical Philosophy Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität 1 Summary of Historical Background 2 Emission Theories Introduction

More information

E = mc 2. Inertial Reference Frames. Inertial Reference Frames. The Special Theory of Relativity. Slide 1 / 63. Slide 2 / 63.

E = mc 2. Inertial Reference Frames. Inertial Reference Frames. The Special Theory of Relativity. Slide 1 / 63. Slide 2 / 63. Slide 1 / 63 The Special Theory of Relativity E = mc 2 Inertial Reference Frames Slide 2 / 63 Newton's laws are only valid in inertial reference frames: n inertial reference frame is one which is not accelerating

More information

Corrections to Maxwell s equations for free space Invalidating the theory of relativity?!

Corrections to Maxwell s equations for free space Invalidating the theory of relativity?! Corrections to Maxwell s equations for free space Invalidating the theory of relativity?! December 01, 2012 Henok Tadesse, Electrical Engineer, B.Sc Ethiopia e-mail: entkidmt@yahoo.com or wchmar@gmail.com

More information

Announcement. Einstein s Postulates of Relativity: PHYS-3301 Lecture 3. Chapter 2. Sep. 5, Special Relativity

Announcement. Einstein s Postulates of Relativity: PHYS-3301 Lecture 3. Chapter 2. Sep. 5, Special Relativity Announcement PHYS-3301 Lecture 3 Sep. 5, 2017 2 Einstein s Postulates of Relativity: Chapter 2 Special Relativity 1. Basic Ideas 6. Velocity Transformation 2. Consequences of Einstein s Postulates 7. Momentum

More information

Introduction. Abstract

Introduction. Abstract The Michelson-Morley Experiment and Classical nalysis of Reflection of Light From a Moving Mirror - Implications for the Lorentz Transformation Equations bstract HenokTadesse, Electrical Engineer, Sc.

More information

ENTER RELATIVITY THE HELIOCENTRISM VS GEOCENTRISM DEBATE ARISES FROM MATTER OF CHOOSING THE BEST REFERENCE POINT. GALILEAN TRANSFORMATION 8/19/2016

ENTER RELATIVITY THE HELIOCENTRISM VS GEOCENTRISM DEBATE ARISES FROM MATTER OF CHOOSING THE BEST REFERENCE POINT. GALILEAN TRANSFORMATION 8/19/2016 ENTER RELATIVITY RVBAUTISTA THE HELIOCENTRISM VS GEOCENTRISM DEBATE ARISES FROM MATTER OF CHOOSING THE BEST REFERENCE POINT. GALILEAN TRANSFORMATION The laws of mechanics must be the same in all inertial

More information

We saw last time how the development of accurate clocks in the 18 th and 19 th centuries transformed human cultures over the world.

We saw last time how the development of accurate clocks in the 18 th and 19 th centuries transformed human cultures over the world. We saw last time how the development of accurate clocks in the 18 th and 19 th centuries transformed human cultures over the world. They also allowed for the precise physical measurements of time needed

More information

Two postulates Relativity of simultaneity Time dilation; length contraction Lorentz transformations Doppler effect Relativistic kinematics

Two postulates Relativity of simultaneity Time dilation; length contraction Lorentz transformations Doppler effect Relativistic kinematics Two postulates Relativity of simultaneity Time dilation; length contraction Lorentz transformations Doppler effect Relativistic kinematics Phys 2435: Chap. 37, Pg 1 Two postulates New Topic Phys 2435:

More information

Doppler shift and aberration for spherical electromagnetic waves

Doppler shift and aberration for spherical electromagnetic waves Doppler shift and aberration for spherical electromagnetic waves Teimuraz Bregadze tebr50@yahoo.com Spherical wave vs. plane wave approximation to the nature of the electromagnetic waves in regard to the

More information

Special Theory of Relativity. PH101 Lec-3

Special Theory of Relativity. PH101 Lec-3 Special Theory of Relativity PH101 Lec-3 Clock Synchronization In order to measure the time at which an event occurred at a point in space, we assumed that all of space are filled with clocks, one for

More information

The Constancy of the Speed of Light

The Constancy of the Speed of Light The Constancy of the Speed of Light Also, recall the Michelson-Morley experiment: c-u c+u u Presumed ether wind direction u is the relative speed between the frames (water & shore) Result: Similar There

More information

2.3 The Lorentz Transformation Eq.

2.3 The Lorentz Transformation Eq. Announcement Course webpage http://highenergy.phys.ttu.edu/~slee/2402/ Textbook PHYS-2402 Lecture 3 HW1 (due 9/13) Chapter 2 20, 26, 36, 41, 45, 50, 51, 55, 58 Sep. 6, 2016 2.3 The Lorentz Transformation

More information

Light and Relativity

Light and Relativity PHY1033C Fall 2017 Lecture W11 Light and Relativity 1. Light, a Special Wave For more than 200 years, Newton s theory of mechanics, condensed into the three laws of motion, have been accepted as the correct

More information

Lorentz Transformation & the Meaning of Einstein s 1905 Special Theory of Relativity

Lorentz Transformation & the Meaning of Einstein s 1905 Special Theory of Relativity Lorentz Transformation & the Meaning of Einstein s 1905 Special Theory of Relativity 334 Article Alexandru C. V. Ceapa * ABSTRACT When the Lorentz transformation as a complementary time-dependent coordinate

More information

RELATIVITY. The End of Physics? A. Special Relativity. 3. Einstein. 2. Michelson-Morley Experiment 5

RELATIVITY. The End of Physics? A. Special Relativity. 3. Einstein. 2. Michelson-Morley Experiment 5 1 The End of Physics? RELATIVITY Updated 01Aug30 Dr. Bill Pezzaglia The following statement made by a Nobel prize winning physicist: The most important fundamental laws and facts of physical science have

More information

2.4 The Lorentz Transformation

2.4 The Lorentz Transformation Announcement Course webpage http://highenergy.phys.ttu.edu/~slee/2402/ Textbook PHYS-2402 Lecture 4 Jan. 27, 2015 Lecture Notes, HW Assignments, Physics Colloquium, etc.. 2.4 The Lorentz Transformation

More information

A. B. Lahanas University of Athens, Physics Department, Nuclear and Particle Physics Section, Athens , Greece

A. B. Lahanas University of Athens, Physics Department, Nuclear and Particle Physics Section, Athens , Greece SPECIAL RELATIVITY A. B. Lahanas University of Athens, Physics Department, Nuclear and Particle Physics Section, Athens 157 71, Greece Abstract We give an introduction to Einstein s Special Theory of Relativity.

More information

Einstein s False Derivation Of Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction By Harry H. Ricker III

Einstein s False Derivation Of Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction By Harry H. Ricker III Einstein s False Derivation Of Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction By Harry H. Ricker III email: kc3mx@yahoo.com 1.0 Introduction This paper demonstrates that the traditional derivation of the Lorentz-FitzGerald

More information

Rotational Mechanics and Relativity --- Summary sheet 1

Rotational Mechanics and Relativity --- Summary sheet 1 Rotational Mechanics and Relativity --- Summary sheet 1 Centre of Mass 1 1 For discrete masses: R m r For continuous bodies: R dm i i M M r body i Static equilibrium: the two conditions for a body in static

More information

Michelson and Morley expected the wrong result from their experiment Cyrus Master-Khodabakhsh

Michelson and Morley expected the wrong result from their experiment Cyrus Master-Khodabakhsh Michelson and Morley expected the wrong result from their experiment Cyrus Master-Khodabakhsh School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics Western Sydney University cyrs.master@westernsydney.edu.au;

More information

Einstein and his theory of Special Relativity (1905) General relativity came later and deals more with gravity (1915) 07 relativity.

Einstein and his theory of Special Relativity (1905) General relativity came later and deals more with gravity (1915) 07 relativity. Einstein and his theory of Special Relativity (1905) General relativity came later and deals more with gravity (1915) Groundwork for Einstein's theory was laid out my Michelson and Morley with their interferometer

More information

Lecture 13 Notes: 07 / 20. Invariance of the speed of light

Lecture 13 Notes: 07 / 20. Invariance of the speed of light Lecture 13 Notes: 07 / 20 Invariance of the speed of light The Michelson-Morley experiment, among other experiments, showed that the speed of light in vacuum is a universal constant, as predicted by Maxwell's

More information

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Department Physics 8.20 IAP 2005 Introduction to Special Relativity

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Department Physics 8.20 IAP 2005 Introduction to Special Relativity Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Department Physics 8.20 IAP 2005 Introduction to Special Relativity Problem Set 1 1. Speeds What fraction of the speed of light does each of the following

More information

the transverse beam of light follows a diagonal path because of addition of light and the

the transverse beam of light follows a diagonal path because of addition of light and the Alternative explanation for the Michelson-Morley experiment Daquan Gao 3929 Stonyrun Drive,Louisville KY 40220 USA daquangao@hotmail.com Abstract: The famous Michelson-Morley experiment has been reanalyzed

More information

A Logical Disproof of Relativistic Doppler Effect of Light and an Alternative Theory

A Logical Disproof of Relativistic Doppler Effect of Light and an Alternative Theory A Logical Disproof of Relativistic Doppler Effect of Light and an Alternative Theory Abstract Henok Tadesse, Electrical Engineer, BSc. Ethiopia, Debrezeit, P.O Box 412 Tel: +251 910 751339 or +251 912

More information

Special Relativity 1

Special Relativity 1 Special Relativity 1 Special Relativity: A Summary Caitlyn Edwards Dr. Gan Modern Physics November 2017 Special Relativity 2 Abstract The physics of Einstein s theory of special relativity differs dramatically

More information

Midterm Solutions. 1 1 = 0.999c (0.2)

Midterm Solutions. 1 1 = 0.999c (0.2) Midterm Solutions 1. (0) The detected muon is seen km away from the beam dump. It carries a kinetic energy of 4 GeV. Here we neglect the energy loss and angular scattering of the muon for simplicity. a.

More information

Chapter 2: The Special Theory of Relativity. A reference fram is inertial if Newton s laws are valid in that frame.

Chapter 2: The Special Theory of Relativity. A reference fram is inertial if Newton s laws are valid in that frame. Chapter 2: The Special Theory of Relativity What is a reference frame? A reference fram is inertial if Newton s laws are valid in that frame. If Newton s laws are valid in one reference frame, they are

More information

Einstein for Everyone Lecture 2: Background to Special Relativity

Einstein for Everyone Lecture 2: Background to Special Relativity Einstein for Everyone Lecture 2: Background to Special Relativity Dr. Erik Curiel Munich Center For Mathematical Philosophy Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität 1 Special Relativity 2 Principle of Relativity

More information

Lesson 12 Relativity

Lesson 12 Relativity Lesson 12 Relativity Introduction: Connecting Your Learning Relative motion was studied at the beginning of the course when the simple notion of adding or subtracting velocities made perfect sense. If

More information

Electrostatics. Electrical properties generated by static charges. Introduction

Electrostatics. Electrical properties generated by static charges. Introduction Electrostatics Electrical properties generated by static charges Introduction First Greek discovery Found that amber, when rubbed, became electrified and attracted pieces of straw or feathers Introduction

More information

Astronomy 102, Fall September 2009

Astronomy 102, Fall September 2009 Today in Astronomy 102: relativity Measurement of physical quantities, reference frames, and space-time diagrams. Relative and absolute physical quantities. Classical physics and Galileo s theory of relativity.

More information

Natural Questions. About 2000 years ago Greek scientists were confused about motion. and developed a theory of motion

Natural Questions. About 2000 years ago Greek scientists were confused about motion. and developed a theory of motion Natural Questions First natural question: Next question: What these things made of? Why and how things move? About 2000 years ago Greek scientists were confused about motion. Aristotle --- First to study

More information

Announcements. Muon Lifetime. Lecture 4 Chapter. 2 Special Relativity. SUMMARY Einstein s Postulates of Relativity: EXPERIMENT

Announcements. Muon Lifetime. Lecture 4 Chapter. 2 Special Relativity. SUMMARY Einstein s Postulates of Relativity: EXPERIMENT Announcements HW1: Ch.2-20, 26, 36, 41, 46, 50, 51, 55, 58, 63, 65 Lab start-up meeting with TA tomorrow (1/26) at 2:00pm at room 301 Lab manual is posted on the course web *** Course Web Page *** http://highenergy.phys.ttu.edu/~slee/2402/

More information

2.1 Einstein s postulates of Special Relativity. (i) There is no ether (there is no absolute system of reference).

2.1 Einstein s postulates of Special Relativity. (i) There is no ether (there is no absolute system of reference). Chapter 2 Special Relativity The contradiction brought about by the development of Electromagnetism gave rise to a crisis in the 19th century that Special Relativity resolved. 2.1 Einstein s postulates

More information

Newtonian or Galilean Relativity

Newtonian or Galilean Relativity Relativity Eamples 1. What is the velocity of an electron in a 400 kv transmission electron microscope? What is the velocity in the 6 GeV CESR particle accelerator?. If one million muons enter the atmosphere

More information

Module 2: Special Theory of Relativity - Basics

Module 2: Special Theory of Relativity - Basics Lecture 01 PH101: Physics 1 Module 2: Special Theory of Relativity - Basics Girish Setlur & Poulose Poulose gsetlur@iitg.ac.in Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati poulose@iitg.ac.in ( 22 October 2018 )

More information

Aristotle: If a man on top of a mast in a moving ship drops an object, it would fall toward the back of the ship.

Aristotle: If a man on top of a mast in a moving ship drops an object, it would fall toward the back of the ship. Aristotle: If a man on top of a mast in a moving ship drops an object, it would fall toward the back of the ship. Aristotle Galileo v Galileo: The object would land at the base of the mast. Therefore,

More information

Chapter 15. Electric Forces and Electric Fields

Chapter 15. Electric Forces and Electric Fields Chapter 15 Electric Forces and Electric Fields First Observations Greeks Observed electric and magnetic phenomena as early as 700 BC Found that amber, when rubbed, became electrified and attracted pieces

More information

Pay close attention... because

Pay close attention... because Pay close attention... because Galilean Relativity Galilean Relativity I drive past a baseball field traveling north at 25 MPH. A player throws the ball south at a speed (relative to the ground) of 70

More information

3 Newton s First Law of Motion Inertia. Forces cause changes in motion.

3 Newton s First Law of Motion Inertia. Forces cause changes in motion. Forces cause changes in motion. A ball at rest in the middle of a flat field is in equilibrium. No net force acts on it. If you saw it begin to move across the ground, you d look for forces that don t

More information

Today in Astronomy 102: relativity

Today in Astronomy 102: relativity Today in Astronomy 102: relativity Measurement of physical quantities, reference frames, and space-time diagrams. Relative and absolute physical quantities. Classical physics and Galileo s theory of relativity.

More information

30 Days to Awakening

30 Days to Awakening Formula for Miracles Presents 30 Days to Awakening Thousands of Years of Spiritual Wisdom Revealed in Fun, Ten Minute Insights 2012-2013 Brent Phillips www.formulaformiracles.net Day 25: Truth: Behind

More information

Rethinking the Principles of Relativity. Copyright 2010 Joseph A. Rybczyk

Rethinking the Principles of Relativity. Copyright 2010 Joseph A. Rybczyk Rethinking the Principles of Relativity Copyright 2010 Joseph A. Rybczyk Abstract An analysis of all of the principles involved in light propagation lead to the discovery that the relativistic principle

More information

The special theory of relativity

The special theory of relativity Chapter 1 The special theory of relativity 1.1 Historical background 1905 is often described as Einstein s annus mirabilis: a wonderful year in which he came up with three remarkable ideas. These were

More information

Abstract: Here, I use the basic principles of the McMahon field theory to explain the strong force and the weak force, as described for atoms.

Abstract: Here, I use the basic principles of the McMahon field theory to explain the strong force and the weak force, as described for atoms. Copyright Version: 2 nd March, 2015, updated 10 th April, 2015 Page: 1 of 8 The Strong and weak forces- explained via McMahon field theory Abstract: Here, I use the basic principles of the McMahon field

More information

November 24, Energy Extraction from Black Holes. T. Daniel Brennan. Special Relativity. General Relativity. Black Holes.

November 24, Energy Extraction from Black Holes. T. Daniel Brennan. Special Relativity. General Relativity. Black Holes. from November 24, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 Problem with Electricity and Magnetism In the late 1800 s physicists realized there was a problem with electromagnetism: the speed of light was given in terms of fundamental

More information

GRAVITY BUILDS HOLLOW SPHERES Supporting Hollow Earth Theory

GRAVITY BUILDS HOLLOW SPHERES Supporting Hollow Earth Theory GRAVITY BUILDS HOLLOW SPHERES Supporting Hollow Earth Theory The theory predicts that matter will tend to 'float apart' at the gravitational centre causing a hollow, and further, that once formed the hollow

More information

Modern Physics. Light and Relativity

Modern Physics. Light and Relativity Modern Physics Light and Relativity Electromagnetism In the late 1800 s, Electricity and Magnetism were united as one force: Electromagnetism Electromagnetism In the late 1800 s, Electricity and Magnetism

More information

Bell s spaceship paradox

Bell s spaceship paradox Bell s spaceship paradox If the two ships start accelerating at the same time, I always see them travelling at the same velocity, and keeping a constant distance... But I said the objects get shorter when

More information

3/22/2016. Chapter 27 Gauss s Law. Chapter 27 Preview. Chapter 27 Preview. Chapter Goal: To understand and apply Gauss s law. Slide 27-2.

3/22/2016. Chapter 27 Gauss s Law. Chapter 27 Preview. Chapter 27 Preview. Chapter Goal: To understand and apply Gauss s law. Slide 27-2. Chapter 27 Gauss s Law Chapter Goal: To understand and apply Gauss s law. Slide 27-2 Chapter 27 Preview Slide 27-3 Chapter 27 Preview Slide 27-4 1 Chapter 27 Preview Slide 27-5 Chapter 27 Preview Slide

More information

Light Speed in Vacuum Is not a Constant and Time Doesn t Change with Velocity Discrepancies Between Relativities and Yangton & Yington Theory

Light Speed in Vacuum Is not a Constant and Time Doesn t Change with Velocity Discrepancies Between Relativities and Yangton & Yington Theory American Journal of Modern Physics 2015; 4(6): 367-373 Published online November 10, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajmp) doi: 10.11648/j.ajmp.20150406.12 ISSN: 2326-8867 (Print); ISSN:

More information

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL RELATIVITY PART 1: SPECIAL RELATIVITY ARICK SHAO

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL RELATIVITY PART 1: SPECIAL RELATIVITY ARICK SHAO A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL RELATIVITY PART 1: SPECIAL RELATIVITY ARICK SHAO These notes are the first of a pair of brief articles containing an informal introduction to the mathematics behind

More information

Elements of Physics II

Elements of Physics II Physics 132: Lecture 21 Elements of Physics II Agenda for Today Special Theory of relativity Inertial vs. non-inertial reference frames Postulates of SR Consequences of SR Simultaneity Time dilation Physics

More information

Chapter-1 Relativity Part I RADIATION

Chapter-1 Relativity Part I RADIATION Chapter-1 Relativity Part I RADIATION Radiation implies the transfer of energy from one place to another. - Electromagnetic Radiation - Light - Particle and Cosmic Radiation photons, protons, neutrons,

More information

RELATIVITY. Einstein published two theories of relativity. In The Special Theory. For uniform motion a = 0. In The General Theory

RELATIVITY. Einstein published two theories of relativity. In The Special Theory. For uniform motion a = 0. In The General Theory RELATIVITY Einstein published two theories of relativity In 1905 The Special Theory For uniform motion a = 0 In 1916 The General Theory For non-uniform motion a 0. First we will discuss The Special Theory

More information

THEORY ON THE MOTION RELATED TO THE EXPANDING SPACE

THEORY ON THE MOTION RELATED TO THE EXPANDING SPACE THEORY ON THE MOTION RELATED TO THE EXPANDING SPACE Dino Bruniera Treviso (Italy) e-mail: dino.bruniera@gmail.com ABSTRACT With this article I propose to demonstrate, through the CMBR, a theory for which

More information

Astronomy 102 Lecture 04

Astronomy 102 Lecture 04 Today in Astronomy 102: relativity q Measurement of physical quantities, reference frames, and space-time diagrams. q Relative and absolute physical quantities. q Classical physics and Galileo s theory

More information

Our Dynamic Universe

Our Dynamic Universe North Berwick High School Higher Physics Department of Physics Unit 1 Our Dynamic Universe Section 5 Special Relativity Section 5 Special Relativity Note Making Make a dictionary with the meanings of any

More information

On The Michelson-Morley Experiment

On The Michelson-Morley Experiment APPENDIX D On The Michelson-Morley Experiment 1. The Classical Interpretation Of The Michelson-Morley Experiment The negative result of the Michelson-Morley experiment presented early twentieth century

More information

Magnetic force on a current that not flowing through the. magnetic field

Magnetic force on a current that not flowing through the. magnetic field Magnetic force on a current that not flowing through the magnetic field Yannan Yang (Shanghai Jinjuan Information Science and Technology Co., Ltd.) Abstract: From the distribution characteristics of the

More information

CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity Part 2

CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity Part 2 CHAPTER 2 Special Theory of Relativity Part 2 2.1 The Apparent Need for Ether 2.2 The Michelson-Morley Experiment 2.3 Einstein s Postulates 2.4 The Lorentz Transformation 2.5 Time Dilation and Length Contraction

More information

Special. Relativity. Todd Huffman. Steve

Special. Relativity. Todd Huffman. Steve Special Steve Relativity Todd Huffman Einstein s Two Postulates of Special Relativity: I. The laws of physics are identical in all inertial frames II. Light propagates in vacuum rectilinearly, with the

More information

Chapter 23. Gauss Law. Copyright 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 23. Gauss Law. Copyright 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 23 Gauss Law Copyright 23-1 Electric Flux Electric field vectors and field lines pierce an imaginary, spherical Gaussian surface that encloses a particle with charge +Q. Now the enclosed particle

More information

ELECTROSTATICS - II : Electric Field

ELECTROSTATICS - II : Electric Field LCTROSTATICS II : lectric Field. lectric Field 2. lectric Field Intensity or lectric Field Strength 3. lectric Field Intensity due to a Point Charge 4. Superposition Principle 5. lectric Lines of Force

More information

Wallace Hall Academy

Wallace Hall Academy Wallace Hall Academy CfE Higher Physics Unit 1 - Universe Notes Name 1 Newton and Gravity Newton s Thought Experiment Satellite s orbit as an Application of Projectiles Isaac Newton, as well as giving

More information

Chapter 15. Electric Forces and Electric Fields

Chapter 15. Electric Forces and Electric Fields Chapter 15 Electric Forces and Electric Fields First Studies Greeks Observed electric and magnetic phenomena as early as 700 BC Found that amber, when rubbed, became electrified and attracted pieces of

More information

Electromagnetic Waves A.K.A. Light

Electromagnetic Waves A.K.A. Light Electromagnetic Waves A.K.A. Light When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George

More information

0 : Einstein s postulates of Special Relativity

0 : Einstein s postulates of Special Relativity Class 2 : The Special Theory of Relativity Recap of Einstein s postulates Time dilation Length contraction Energy and momentum Causality 0 : Einstein s postulates of Special Relativity Consider a group

More information

The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution The Scientific Revolution What is a Revolution? A Revolution is a complete change, or an overthrow of a government, a social system, etc. The Scientific Revolution In the 1500s and 1600s the Scientific

More information

Consequences of special relativity.

Consequences of special relativity. PHYS419 Lecture 12 Consequences of special relativity 1 Consequences of special relativity. The length of moving objects. Recall that in special relativity, simultaneity depends on the frame of reference

More information

Length Contraction on Rotating Disc: an Argument for the Lorentzian Approach to Relativity

Length Contraction on Rotating Disc: an Argument for the Lorentzian Approach to Relativity Apeiron, Vol. 14, No. 4, October 2007 454 Length Contraction on Rotating Disc: an Argument for the Lorentzian Approach to Relativity Maciej Rybicki Sas-Zubrzyckiego 8/27, 30-611 Krakow, Poland rybicki@skr.pl

More information

The Existence of Absolute Space

The Existence of Absolute Space The Ohio State University Knowledge Bank kb.osu.edu Ohio Journal of Science (Ohio Academy of Science) Ohio Journal of Science: Volume 62, Issue 2 (March, 1962) 1962-03 The Existence of Absolute Space Gould,

More information

PHYSICS. Chapter 24 Lecture FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS A STRATEGIC APPROACH 4/E RANDALL D. KNIGHT

PHYSICS. Chapter 24 Lecture FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS A STRATEGIC APPROACH 4/E RANDALL D. KNIGHT PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS A STRATEGIC APPROACH 4/E Chapter 24 Lecture RANDALL D. KNIGHT Chapter 24 Gauss s Law IN THIS CHAPTER, you will learn about and apply Gauss s law. Slide 24-2 Chapter

More information

Einstein s theory of special relativity

Einstein s theory of special relativity Einstein s theory of special relativity Announcements: First homework assignment is online, but you will need to read about time dilation to answer problem #3 and for the definition of ~for problems #4

More information