Solve Eqs. 12.18 forx,y,z,tin terms ofx,y,z,t and check that you recover Eqs. 12.19.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The coordinates of the S frame in terms of coordinates in Sare found as:

x=γx+yty=yz=zt=γt+vc2x

Step by step solution

01

Expression for the Lorentz transformation equations:

Write the expression for the Lorentz transformation equations of coordinates x,y,zand tin Sframe.

First equation:

x=Y(x-vt) …… (1)

Second equation:

y=y

Third equation:

z=z

Fourth equation:

localid="1654594577273" t=Y(1-VXc2) …… (2)

02

Determine the coordinate of x in terms of x:

Rearrange the equation (2) in terms of t.

t=tγ+vxc2 ……. (3)

Substitute the value of equation (3) in equation (1).

x=γx-vtγ+vxc2x=γ×1-v2c2-vt

Rearrange the above expression in terms of x.

x=γx+vt …… (4)

03

Determine the coordinate of t in terms of t :

Substitute the value of equation (4) in equation (3).

t=γ1-vγx+vtc2t=γt-vc2xγ+vt

Rearrange the above expression in terms of t.

t=γt-vc2x

Therefore, the coordinates of the S frame in terms of coordinates in are found as:

x=γx+vty=yz=zt=γt+vc2x

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Show that the (ordinary) acceleration of a particle of mass m and charge q, moving at velocity u under the influence of electromagnetic fields E and B, is given by

a=qm1u2/c2[E+u×B-1c2uuE]

[Hint: Use Eq. 12.74.]

A particle of mass m collides elastically with an identical particle at rest. Classically, the outgoing trajectories always make an angle of 90°. Calculate this angle relativistically, in terms ofϕ , the scattering angle, and v, the speed, in the center-of-momentum frame.

Synchronized clocks are stationed at regular intervals, a million apart, along a straight line. When the clock next to you reads 12 noon:

(a) What time do you see on the 90thclock down the line?

(b) What time do you observe on that clock?

(a) Draw a space-time diagram representing a game of catch (or a conversation) between two people at rest, apart. How is it possible for them to communicate, given that their separation is spacelike?

(b) There's an old limerick that runs as follows:

There once was a girl named Ms. Bright,

Who could travel much faster than light.

She departed one day,

The Einsteinian way,

And returned on the previous night.

What do you think? Even if she could travel faster than light, could she return before she set out? Could she arrive at some intermediate destination before she set out? Draw a space-time diagram representing this trip.

Prove that the symmetry (or antisymmetry) of a tensor is preserved by Lorentz transformation (that is: if is symmetric, show that is also symmetric, and likewise for antisymmetric).

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free