Confused about Lorentz Transformations

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the invariance of the quantity Δt² - Δx² under Lorentz Transformations. A user incorrectly calculated the transformed values for a frame moving at 0.5C, leading to the erroneous conclusion that the invariance was violated. Another participant clarified that the correct application of the Lorentz Transformation equations yields Δt' = √0.75 and Δx' = 0, confirming that Δt'² - Δx'² remains equal to 0.75, thus maintaining invariance.

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BWV
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I thought Lorentz Transformations left Δt2-Δx2 invariant
but, for example a frame moving at .5C for Δt =1 has Δx = .5 so
Δt2-Δx2 = .75

If this is transformed by :


d3140dec18ab1103cc4aebe3fe182f98.png



to a rest frame
Δt =0.65 has Δx = 0 and Δt2-Δx2≠ 0.75

not sure where I have gone wrong here, any help would be appreciated
 
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BWV said:
I thought Lorentz Transformations left Δt2-Δx2 invariant but, for example a frame moving at .5C for Δt =1 has Δx = .5 so
Δt2-Δx2 = .75. If this is transformed by [Lorentz Transformation] to a rest frame [then] Δt =0.65 has Δx = 0 and Δt2-Δx2≠ 0.75
Not sure where I have gone wrong here, any help would be appreciated

You made a mistake with your arithmetic. If you plug your numbers into the Lorentz Transformation equation that you quoted, the result is Δt' = sqrt(0.75) and Δx' = 0, so the quantity Δt'2-Δx'2 equals 0.75, just as before.
 

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