Recent content by hmsmatthew

With the ++++ signature I suppose ds^2=0 could only represent no change in space or time coordinates. Would this be the metric without considering special relativity? I know that we work in units where c=1, so the null interval c^2*dt^2=dx^2+dy^2+dz^2 becomes dt^2=dx^2+dy^2+dz^2 This is the...

Would all observers agree on the speed of light because of the invariance of spacetime distance between events as observed in different reference frames? (with the null geodesic as you suggest)

Why is the Time component in the Space Time Interval negative? The space time interval is defined to be: ds^2=dt^2-dx^2-dy^2-dz^2 or depending on the convention used it may also be: ds^2=-dt+dx^2+dy^2+dz^2 The equation is defining distance using the pythagorean theorem. This results...

I am struggling to understand Newtons law: F = ma = GMm/r^2 a = GM/r^2 In the above equation, the small m's cancel out to give a constant acceleration due to gravity from the perspective of big M. I consider a planet and a small moon (little m) a certain distance away from the planet...

Homework Statement An electron is traveling at the "non-relativistic" velocity of 0.05 times the speed of light. Find its de Broglie wavelength. Explain what size an object needs to be in order to cause a stream of such electrons to form a significant diffraction pattern. Homework...

Ok i think i have the answer now. I think its safe to say -1/f = +1/1.5f + 1/i which gives i=-0.6f This agrees with my ray diagram. From there i think i can treat each image as if it were an object for the reflection and refraction. In this way i can get image 2 and image 3. Only trouble...

yes i realize this, and the image is also virtual and negative. i thought algebraically you treat the variables as if they are unknown when solving for something ?

Homework Statement Homework Equations 1/f=1/i + 1/p m=-i/p Where m is magnification, i is image distance, p is object distance, and f is the focal length. The Attempt at a Solution 1/f = 1/1.5f + 1/i i=3f I have also attempted to draw a ray diagram to use the image of...