Lorentz transformations explanation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Lorentz transformations, particularly in the context of special relativity. Participants explore the implications of traveling at relativistic speeds, the experience of time dilation, and the effects on measurements of time and length from different reference frames.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for an explanation of the Lorentz transformations, indicating a lack of familiarity with the topic.
  • Another participant suggests using Google for information on the Lorentz transformation, implying that resources are readily available.
  • A participant claims that traveling at 75% the speed of light results in only 0.66 hours passing for the traveler, calculated using the Lorentz transformation formula.
  • Multiple participants challenge this claim, stating that the traveler would not notice time dilation in their own frame of reference, as all inertial frames experience the same physics.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of relativistic effects, with some participants emphasizing that these effects are only observable from another frame of reference.
  • One participant expresses frustration over perceived criticism of their statements, while others clarify that corrections are not necessarily criticisms but attempts to enhance understanding.
  • A later reply suggests that the connection between space and time can be understood through conceptualizing clock time with moving rulers, referencing an external document for further explanation.
  • Another participant acknowledges the confusion in the original statements and suggests that the context was clear, indicating a shared understanding among some participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of time dilation and the experience of traveling at relativistic speeds. There is no consensus on the implications of the Lorentz transformations, with multiple competing perspectives remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect confusion or misinterpretation of relativistic effects, and there are unresolved nuances regarding the experience of time and the role of different reference frames in the discussion.

guevaramartyr
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sorry, I'm not particularly well versed in this field. can someone explain the lorentz transformations to me?
 
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Use Google to search for "Lorentz transformation". You will get a lot of hits explaining it.
 
If I traveled at 75% the speed of light (.75c) for 1 hour, did one hour really pass for me? No, only .66 hours passed for me, or 39.6 minuts. I found this by uising the lorenz transformation [itex]\sqrt{1- \frac{v^2}{c^2}}[/itex] The evidence is here...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=sqr(1-(.75c)^2/c^2)
The exact same goes for a decrease in length, and an increas in math exept its a factor using division for the latter.
sorry if the latex is a little off
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If I traveled at 75% the speed of light (.75c) for 1 hour, did one hour really pass for me? No, only .66 hours passed for me, or 39.6 minuts. I found this by uising the lorenz transformation

Wrong. You would experience the same thing you did at rest (Postulate I of SR, Galilean relativity: Every inertial frame experiences the same physics). The unmentioned frame with respect to which you have that .75c speed would see your lengths shortened and your clocks slowed.
 
selfAdjoint said:
Wrong. You would experience the same thing you did at rest (Postulate I of SR, Galilean relativity: Every inertial frame experiences the same physics). The unmentioned frame with respect to which you have that .75c speed would see your lengths shortened and your clocks slowed.

well that is obvious. Relativistic effects only occur from another frame of reference Even if time did slow down for you, you can't notice a difference. And it's not only clocks that slow down, its everything that time effects. I guess you just like the feeling of telling people they are wrong :smile: I think if you are going to tell people
You would experience the same thing you did at rest
you should atleast explain who does time really slow down for, it would help people understand better.
 
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Lighten up, eNathan! You made a mistake (or at least made a very confusing statement); selfAdjoint just pointed it out. (It's his sworn duty as a mentor... he had no choice!)
 
Isn't that nice. But people here seem to criticize things that are right, wrong, and in the middle.
 
guevaramartyr said:
Can someone explain the lorentz transformations to me?
Yes. It's all very simple. Clock time can be conceptualized with moving rulers in such a way that the astonishing connection between space and time can be clearly understood.

http://www.everythingimportant.org/relativity/special.pdf
 
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eNathan said:
Isn't that nice. But people here seem to criticize things that are right, wrong, and in the middle.



But correcting and clarifying are not "criticizing". You are the only one criticizing here.
 
  • #10
sorry to put you all through this, but i looked it up in the encyclopedia of physics lol. thanks anyway for being supporting.
 
  • #11
Doc Al said:
Lighten up, eNathan! You made a mistake (or at least made a very confusing statement); selfAdjoint just pointed it out. (It's his sworn duty as a mentor... he had no choice!)
I think it was pretty clear what eNathan meant from the context (i.e. if you see me travel at 0.75c for 1 hour in your frame, then in my frame the journey only lasted 0.66 hours)--selfAdjoint was just being a bit pedantic (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, even though eNathan understood it, others could have been confused I guess).
 
  • #12
JesseM said:
I think it was pretty clear what eNathan meant from the context
I see your point. And eNathan's as well.
 

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