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Chapter 6

Relativity

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will learn how to:

understand the meaning and use of the terms reference frame and inertial reference frame

explore Galilean relativity and its transformation equations for position, time and velocity

understand Einsteinâ€™s two postulates of special relativity

see how the postulates of special relativity lead to the Lorentz transformation equations for

the same event from the point of view of two reference frames

use the Lorentz transformation for relativistic velocity addition

understand that the spacetime interval between two events is an invariant quantity

use the terms proper time interval and proper length

solve problems involving time dilation and length contraction

explore relativistic simultaneity

use spacetime diagrams (sometimes called Minkowski diagrams)

understand how muon decay experiments provide evidence for time dilation and length contraction

GUIDING questions

What are the consequences of the constancy of the speed of light on our understanding of space and time?