Acceleration Frame in SR: References for Research

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around seeking references and derivations related to acceleration frames in special relativity (SR), particularly in the context of problems involving accelerating rockets. Participants express a need for additional resources to understand the equations related to time, distance, and velocity as measured from an Earth frame.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests references for understanding acceleration frames in SR, specifically mentioning equations related to time, distance, and velocity.
  • Another participant offers their personal notes, acknowledging that they contain typos but may still be useful.
  • A participant references Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler's "Gravitation" as a source that discusses acceleration frames but notes it uses tensors, which may not be accessible to all readers.
  • Rindler's textbook is mentioned as another potential source for understanding accelerating frames, though it is described as more dated.
  • There is a suggestion to refer to the "relativistic rocket" FAQ for information on acceleration in special relativity, which may be helpful if the focus is not strictly on frames.
  • A participant confirms that the equations they have are sourced from the "relativistic rocket" FAQ but notes that these equations lack derivations, which is a gap that the notes from another participant help to fill.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a shared interest in finding resources and references, but there is no consensus on a single definitive source or method for understanding acceleration frames in SR, as multiple references and approaches are suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the reliance on tensor calculus in certain references, which may limit accessibility for those not familiar with the topic. There is also an acknowledgment of missing derivations for the equations discussed.

Haorong Wu
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TL;DR
References of acceleration frame in SR
Hi. I am looking for some references of acceleration frame in SR, such as an accelerating rocket problem.

I have some equations regarding the time, distance, velocity measured in the Earth frame, etc. But the reference I have does not provide the derivation of those equations, so I need some more references.

Thanks!
 
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Recently I wrote up some notes for myself. There are some typo's in it (the last version is at my home pc), but maybe it is of some help for you.
 

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haushofer said:
Recently I wrote up some notes for myself. There are some typo's in it (the last version is at my home pc), but maybe it is of some help for you.
Thanks! Great notes! It just has what I need.
 
Haorong Wu said:
Summary:: References of acceleration frame in SR

Hi. I am looking for some references of acceleration frame in SR, such as an accelerating rocket problem.

I have some equations regarding the time, distance, velocity measured in the Earth frame, etc. But the reference I have does not provide the derivation of those equations, so I need some more references.

Thanks!

Misner, Thorne, Wheeler (MTW) has a treatment of this in "Gravitation". But it uses tensors. Most treatments of accelerating frames that I've seen use tensors. Rindler has another (more dated) treatment, I believe in his GR textbook. I imagine there are others.

However, if you drop the "frame" part and are just interested in acceleration in special relativity, the "relativistic rocket" FAQ might be helpful. See https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/Rocket/rocket.html for instance.
 
pervect said:
Misner, Thorne, Wheeler (MTW) has a treatment of this in "Gravitation". But it uses tensors. Most treatments of accelerating frames that I've seen use tensors. Rindler has another (more dated) treatment, I believe in his GR textbook. I imagine there are others.

However, if you drop the "frame" part and are just interested in acceleration in special relativity, the "relativistic rocket" FAQ might be helpful. See https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/Rocket/rocket.html for instance.
Hello, @pervect. The equations I got are from the same page. Equations (4) to (8) in that page are just given without the derivation. Gladly, @ haushofer 's notes fill this gap.
 

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