Understanding Photons: Query about v in Einstein's Equation | R.apaparioscios

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the variable "v" in Einstein's equation related to Lorentz transformations, specifically in the context of photons. Participants are exploring whether "v" represents a vector, its magnitude, or potentially a more complex mathematical construct like a paravector.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the nature of "v" and its representation, discussing whether it is a scalar, a vector, or a paravector. There are attempts to clarify the mathematical implications of these interpretations.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have provided insights into the definitions of terms like paravector and the implications of changing established theories, while others express confusion about the concepts being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the need for a new theory if one were to redefine "v" outside its conventional understanding in the context of Special Relativity (SR) and General Relativity (GR). The discussion includes references to the complexities of geometric algebra and its potential role in unifying SR and GR.

Raparicio
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Hello All,

I have a question about photons. In A. Einstein ecuation (about Lorenzt transformation), there's a square root of c^2-v^2. My question is about what is the v represented: a vector? Only one direction vector? Only his module?

best reggards.

R.apaparioscios.
 
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Do you mean (1 - β^2)^1/2, where β = v/c? It's just the size of the velocity, so the modulus.
 
Ok

Nylex said:
Do you mean (1 - β^2)^1/2, where β = v/c? It's just the size of the velocity, so the modulus.

It's right. Is the modulus, but: could be a paravector?
 
What's a paravector? :confused:
 
Paravector

Hello now,

A paravector is a generalization of a vector, with a non-vectorial part and a vectorial part (like complex numbers have Real + Complex number). There are more generenalizations of vectors, like hypercomplex of hamilton, and the most general interesting now is Clifford Algebras and Geometric Algebra.

Could say that a vector is a paravector without escalar part in this example.

my best reggards.
 
You'd need a new theory for that.For the Theory of Relativity developed over the last exactly 100 years,that "v" from [itex]\beta[/itex] or [itex]\gamma[/itex] is a scalar,namely [itex]\left|\vec{v}\right|[/itex]...That "v" has nothing to do with photons,of course...

Daniel.
 
Raparicio said:
Hello All,

I have a question about photons. In A. Einstein ecuation (about Lorenzt transformation), there's a square root of c^2-v^2. My question is about what is the v represented: a vector? Only one direction vector? Only his module?

best reggards.

R.apaparioscios.

the v is just an ordinary velocity-vector. It has three dimensions or equivalently it has three components, just like in the case of Lorentz transformations. That's all. The v² is the magnitude of this vector which is determined by calculating the scalar product of this vector with itself.

The v is the velocity of one frame of reference to another...
marlon
 
Paravector

marlon said:
the v is just an ordinary velocity-vector. It has three dimensions or equivalently it has three components, just like in the case of Lorentz transformations. That's all. The v² is the magnitude of this vector which is determined by calculating the scalar product of this vector with itself.

The v is the velocity of one frame of reference to another...
marlon

Could be the velocity, a paravector or multivector, and this 'v' its module?
 
It could iff u changed the whole theory.It could be pseudovector,the trace of a rank 658 tensor,etc...

Daniel.
 
  • #10
Whole theory?

dextercioby said:
It could iff u changed the whole theory.It could be pseudovector,the trace of a rank 658 tensor,etc...
Daniel.

Daniel,

What whole theory?
 
  • #11
Maybe he means SR, I dunno.
 
  • #12
Yeah,change SR,you'll need to change GR as well.For the time being,they are successful theories and these theories address the velocity in the "gamma-factor" as the modulus of an ordinary 3-vector...

Daniel.
 
  • #14
Meaning of SR and GR

dextercioby said:
Yeah,change SR,you'll need to change GR as well.For the time being,they are successful theories and these theories address the velocity in the "gamma-factor" as the modulus of an ordinary 3-vector...
Daniel.

I'm sorry for my ignorance. What means SR and GR?
 
  • #15
Special Relativity and General Relativity.


Daniel.
 
  • #16
Ok

dextercioby said:
Special Relativity and General Relativity.
Daniel.

Dear Daniel,

What I say is, what to unify SR an GR, we need to think the same way in both, and Geometrical Algebra provides a new tools to face it. If we take a multivector and apply a generalization of the Bertrand Russell circle, there are very interesting insights.

But this is very confusing to me.

Thanks another time.
 

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