Related papers: Using ordinary multiplication to do relativistic v…
What does it mean to ``add'' velocities relativistically -- clarification of the conceptual problems, new derivations of the related formulas, and identification of the source of the non-associativity of the standard vector version of the…
Universal velocity addition formulas analogous to the well-known formula in special relativity are found for four geometrically defined relative velocities in a large class of Robertson-Walker spacetimes. Explicit examples are given. The…
In the one dimensional case, velocity addition in Special Relativity and in Newtonian Mechanics, respectively, are each a commutative group operation, and the two groups are isomorphic. There are infinitely many such isomorphisms, each…
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…
We propose a unified approach to addition of some physical quantities (among which resistors and capacitors are the most well-known) that are usually encountered in introductory physics such that the formulae required to solve problems are…
In the Special Theory of Relativity space and time intervals are different in different frames of reference. As a consequence, the quantity 'velocity' of classical mechanics splits into different quantities in Special Relativity, coordinate…
Using spacetime algebra, the geometric algebra of spacetime, the general problem of relativistic addition of velocities is addressed. The successive application of non-collinear Lorentz boosts is then studied in Minkowski spacetime. Even…
The formula for the relativistic Doppler effect is investigated in the context of two compelling invariance axioms. The axioms are expressed in terms of an abstract operation generalizing the relativistic addition of velocities. We prove…
It is shown that if we can define a physical quantity with proper character in a given inertial reference frame (kinematic, dynamic, electromagnetic in its nature) which transforms when detected from a reference frame relative to which it…
The relativistic addition of parallel velocities is derived involving relativity only via the time dilation formula, avoiding the length contraction used by many authors in conjunction with time dilation. The followed scenario involves a…
We reconsider velocity addition/subtraction in Special Relativity and re-derive its well-known non-commutative and non-associative algebraic properties in a self contained way, including various explicit expressions for the Thomas angle,…
We derive the relativistic velocity addition law, the transformations of electromagnetic fields and space-time intervals by examining the drift velocities in a crossed electromagnetic field configuration. The postulate of the light velocity…
It turns out that the standard application of the four-vector SR formalism does not include the concept of relative velocity. Only the absolute velocity is described by the four-vector, and even the Lorentz transformation parameters is…
A geometric diagram that allows one to visualize the Poincar\'e formula for relativistic addition of velocities in one dimension is presented. An analogous diagram representing the angle sum formula for trigonometric tangent is given.
We consider a scenario that involves a machine gun, the bullets it fires and a moving target, considered from the rest frame of the machine gun and from the rest frame of the target respectively. Involving the special relativity via its two…
The algebra of the relativistic composition of velocities is shown to be isomorphic to an algebraic loop defined on division algebras. This makes calculations in special relativity effortless and straightforward, unlike the standard…
Mermin [Am. J. Phys. {\bf 51}, 1130--1131 (1983)] derived the relativistic addition of the parallel components of velocity using the constancy of the speed of light. In this note, the derivation is extended to the perpendicular components…
Many results that are difficult can be found more easily by using a generalization in the complex plane of Einstein's addition law of parallel velocities. Such a generalization is a natural way to add quantities that are limited to bounded…
Nature succeeds in accelerating extended and massive objects to relativistic velocities. Jets in Active Galactic Nuclei and in galactic superluminal sources and gamma-ray bursts fireballs have bulk Lorentz factors from a few to several…
A century after its formulation by Einstein, it is time to incorporate special relativity early in the physics curriculum. The approach advocated here employs a simple algebraic extension of vector formalism that generates Minkowski…