Related papers: Graphical aids for relativistic optics
The special theory of relativity teaches us that, although distinct inertial frames perceive the same dynamical laws, space and time intervals differ in value. We revisit the problem of time contraction using the paradigmatic model of a…
An interpretation of the inertial mass increase due to an object's velocity which is derived from the theory of special relativity is discussed. A Lorentz transformation of the reference time causes the inertial mass increase. It is assumed…
We present a new visualization of the proper-time elapsed along an observer's worldline. By supplementing worldlines with light clocks, the measurement of space-time intervals is reduced to the "counting of ticks." The resulting space-time…
The shortening of bodies in the direction of motion, Lorentz contraction, follows from the solution of Maxwell's equations. Moving light clocks will tick slower than those at rest because the speed of light does not depend on a source of…
This paper presents some ideas which might assist teachers incorporating special relativity into an introductory physics curriculum. One can define the proper-time/velocity pair, as well as the coordinate-time/velocity pair, of a traveler…
Although there is no relative motion among different points on a rotating disc, each point belongs to a different noninertial frame. This fact, not recognized in previous approaches to the Ehrenfest paradox and related problems, is…
The relativistic Doppler effect comes from the fact that observers in different inertial reference frames experience space and time differently, while the speed of light remains always the same. Consequently, a wave packet of light exhibits…
A special case of the relativistic Doppler effect, which occurs when light reflects from a moving mirror, is discussed. The classic formula for the Doppler shift is derived in a fully non-relativistic fashion using basic facts from…
We investigate the gravitational lensing properties and the formation of relativistic images associated with black holes modeled by the Reissner-Nordstr\"om and Kerr space-time geometries. In particular, we perform numerical computations of…
According to the postulates of the special theory of relativity (STR), physical quantities such as proper times and Doppler shifts can be obtained from any inertial frame by regarding it as isotropic. Nonetheless many inconsistencies arise…
Formulae relating one and the same force in two inertial frames of reference are derived directly from the Lorentz transformation of space and time coordinates and relativistic equation for the dynamic law of motion in three dimensions. We…
Authors derive the Lorentz-Einstein transformation for the space-time coordinates starting with a one-space dimension approach. They add to the results the invariance of the space coordinates measured perpendicular to the direction of…
Rotational transformations describe relativistic effects in rotating frames. There are four major kinematic rotational transformations: the Langevin metric; Post transformation; Franklin transformation; and the rotational form of the…
A conventional space-time diagram is $r-ct$ one, which satisfies the Minkowski geometry. This geometry conflict the intuition from the Euclid geometry. In this work an Euclid space-time diagram is proposed to describe relativistic world…
In this work, we use real quaternions and the basic concept of the final speed of light in an attempt to enhance the standard description of special relativity. First, we demonstrate that it is possible to introduce a quaternion time domain…
The theory of relativity showed that several Newtonian ideas about spacetime are imperfect. We present here some relativistic concepts related to these ideas: simultaneity of events and synchronization of clocks (both along a line in the…
Time-like and space-like invariant space-time intervals are used to analyse measurements of spatial and temporal distances defined by two spatially-separated clocks. The time dilatation effect is confirmed, but not `relativity of…
An analysis of composite inertial motion (relativistic sum) within the framework of special relativity leads to the conclusion that every translational motion must be the symmetrically composite relativistic sum of a finite number of quanta…
The standard Lorentz transformations establish a relationship between the space-time coordinates of the same event when detected from two inertial reference frames I and I' in the standard arrangement. This event is characterized by the…
It is known that a relative translational motion between the deflector and the observer affects gravitational lensing. In this paper, a lens equation is obtained to describe such effects on actual lensing observables. Results can be easily…