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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 Einsteinâs 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?