What is Lorentz factor: Definition and 56 Discussions

The Lorentz factor or Lorentz term is a quantity expressing how much the measurements of time, length, and other physical properties change for an object while that object is moving. The expression appears in several equations in special relativity, and it arises in derivations of the Lorentz transformations. The name originates from its earlier appearance in Lorentzian electrodynamics – named after the Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz.It is generally denoted γ (the Greek lowercase letter gamma). Sometimes (especially in discussion of superluminal motion) the factor is written as Γ (Greek uppercase-gamma) rather than γ.

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  1. M

    Maclaurin Series expansion of Lorentz factor

    Homework Statement Wikipedia states that the Maclaurin Series expansion of the Lorentz factor is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_factor" Homework Equations Relevant equations are all found in that article The Attempt at a Solution I don't see how this comes about. My attempt...
  2. snoopies622

    Does Lorentz Factor Appear in General Relativity?

    Does the Lorentz factor show up much (or at all) in general relativity? For instance, is it appropriate to use it as part of the four-momentum vector when finding the components of the stress-energy tensor even in a non-flat spacetime? I was wondering because the derivations of it that I've...
  3. J

    Help with deriving Lorentz Factor

    Homework Statement I am trying to show how the Lorentz factor is derived but i am unsure how to get past a certain stage.. 2. Homework Equations / attempt Let: c = velocity of light. v = the velocity as observed from where time t is measured. D = distance AB. t = time light occupies to...
  4. A

    Deriving the Lorentz Factor: Exploring SR & GR with Einstein

    I Recently Went Through The Derivation Of The Lorentz Transformations Again... I'm Reading A Book By Einstein On Sr And Gr. It Came To Me That Instead Of Using Only K And K1 Frames When Explaining The Vertical Mental Experiment Of K1 With A Mirror Placed Vertically Above It At A Distance L And...
  5. S

    Lorentz Factor Explained for Laymen: Twin Paradox

    I looked up Twin Paradox, and I understand the concept of time in SR, and also understand the Einstein synchronization convention concept, but now there is just something I don't get here: I looked at twin paradoxes and apparently you must use the Lorentz factor (or it's inverse, anyway) to...
  6. A

    Differentiating Lorentz factor with respect to time

    Homework Statement I would like some help on differentiating the lorentz factor with respect to time Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i arrived at (-1/2) (1-v^2/c^2)^{-3/2} but a forum on this website says it is (-1/2) (1-v^2/c^2)^{-3/2} ( \frac{-2v}{c^2} dv/dt)...
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