Chapter 26 - The Special Theory of Relativity

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Inertial Reference Frame

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A reference frame where Newton’s First Law is valid, can move at aconstant velocity

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Relativity Principle

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The basic laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames

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15 Terms

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Inertial Reference Frame

A reference frame where Newton’s First Law is valid, can move at aconstant velocity

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Relativity Principle

The basic laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames

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Absolute

Describes measurements that do not change from one reference frame to the next, includesspace and time

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Ether

he assumed medium light travels through in space, the velocity of light given by Maxwell’s Equations was assumed to be respect to this ether

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Null Result

The failure to detect a difference in the speed of light when it travels in different directions relative to the ether

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First Postulate

The laws of physics have the same form in all inertial frames

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Second Postulate

Light propogates through empty space with a definite speed, c, independent of the speed of the source or observer

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Thought Experiments

Simple experimental situations which can be thought about and used tosee the consequences of relativity theory

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Event

Something that happens at a particular place at a particular time

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Time Dilation

Clocks moving relative to an observer are measured to run more slowly, as compared to clocks at rest

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Length Contraction

The length of an object relative to an observer is measure to be shorter alongits direction of motion than when it is at rest

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Four-Dimensional Space-Time

The idea that space takes up three dimensions and time is the fourth dimension

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Space-time interval

The quantity of four-dimensional space-time between two events

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Relativistic Mass

The mass of an object with reference to its velocity

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Correspondence Principle

The insistence that a more general theory can give the same results asa more restricted one