1. Amanda Dorsey Faranak Islam Jose Guevara Patrick Conlin
Special Relativity
Amanda Dorsey
Faranak Islam
Jose Guevara
Patrick Conlin

2. Outline Creation of special relativity Predictions Impact
Why it was created
Two postulates
Predictions
Length contraction
Time dilation
Impact
Then
Now
In the future

3. Special Relativity Introduction
In 1905 Albert Einstein wrote “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies”
Special relativity is a theory that describes space and time based on inertial frames of reference – frames of reference in which all the laws of physics are followed

4. Why was the theory of special relativity created?
Galilean transformations
x’=x-vt
y’=y
z’=z
t’=t
Maxwell’s equations did not work with the transformations
Einstein set out to create a consistent theory for electrodynamics

5. Postulates/Restrictions
There is no preferred frame
The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames
The constancy of the speed of light
The speed of light is a universal constant
Restrictions
Linear motion
Constant velocity
Negligible gravitation

6. Lorentz Transformations
Describe how measurements of space and time for two observers are related.
x’=𝛾(x-vt)
y’=y
z’=z
t’=𝛾 𝑡− 𝑣𝑥 𝑐 2
All predictions relate a stationary frame to a moving frame using the lorentz factor (𝛾)
𝛾= 1 1− 𝑣 2 𝑐 2

7. Predictions Properties: Relativity of simultaneity Phenomena:
Length contraction
Time dilation

8. Relativity of Simultaneity
Two simultaneous events in one frame may not be simultaneous in another frame

9. Length Contraction
As velocities near the speed of light, an object will appear shorter to an observer in an inertial frame
Ex: A spaceship traveling near the speed of light
10% speed of light % speed of light

10. Time Dilation
Clocks in a moving frame of reference tick slower than clocks in a stationary frame.
Ex) Airplanes flying around the Earth
Traveling east, the clock would run
slower relative to a stationary clock on
the earth
Traveling west, the clocks would run
faster relative to a stationary clock on

11. Theoretical Extension
Relativistic mass
As an object’s velocity nears the speed of light, it gains mass.
𝑚 ′ =𝛾𝑚
As energy is added to the particles (ex: by heating), the box gains mass

12. What is the impact of the theory of special relativity?
Present applications
GPS satellites
Space travel
Necessary for the study of high energy physics and other fields (ex. Cosmology)
In the future
Time travel forward through time
More advanced space travel

13. Conclusion
General relativity was then created 10 years later and included everything- nonlinear motion, acceleration, gravitation, etc.
Special relativity is now a worldwide accepted theory used of describing the world
Succeeded in creating a consistent theory for electrodynamics
Changed the definition of time and space

14. Thank you!
References
“Special relativity”. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved October 08, 2013 from relativity
H. Lorentz, A. Einstein, H. Minkowsky. “The Principle of Relativity,” Methuen, London, 35 (1923) .
Albert Einstein Photo. Funny Pun Punology. Retrieved November 25, 2013 from
Koks, Don. “What is relativistic mass?”. Retrieved November 25, 2013 from
Thornton, Stephen; Rex, Andrew. “Special Theory of Relativity”. Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers: 4th edition.:2013.
“Relativistic Length Contraction”. The Physics classroom: Retrieved November 29, 2013 from