How Do Minkowski Diagrams Illustrate Lorentz Transformations?

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In summary, the conversation revolves around a website and its diagram discussing the Minkowski Diagram. The main focus is on proving that the points (1,1) and (2,2) are the same using a given velocity. There is also a correction made to the Lorentz and Inverse Lorentz transformations shown on the website. The conversation ends with the mention of Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin.
  • #1
stevmg
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3
kev -

From your prior post you brought in this URL: http://hubpages.com/hub/Minkowski-Diagram
which has this diagram (figure 3)

MinkowskiDiagramSRFig3.jpg


Using his v = 0.6c, how do you prove that the (1,1) is the same as the (2,2)

I can't make it happen.

Also, his Lorentz and Inverse Lorentz transformations are wrong. With the t and t' equations, he has his + and - inverted which will really mess one up if one tries to follow his logic.

Below is what he wrote:
Lorentz transformations* ...Inverse Lorentz transformations*
x' = (x-vt)/(1-v2/c2)1/2 ......x = (x'+vt')/(1-v2/c2)1/2
y' = y .........y = y'
z' = z......... z = z'
t' = (t + vx/c2)/ (1-v2/c2)1/2 ...t = (t' - vx'/c2)/ (1-v2/c2)1/2


This is what it should be:
Lorentz transformations* ...Inverse Lorentz transformations*
x' = (x-vt)/(1-v2/c2)1/2 ......x = (x'+vt')/(1-v2/c2)1/2
y' = y .........y = y'
z' = z......... z = z'
t' = (t - vx/c2)/ (1-v2/c2)1/2 ...t = (t' + vx'/c2)/ (1-v2/c2)1/2[/COLOR]

How do we get to him and inform him of this?

stevmg
 
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  • #2
What's going wrong stevemg? As far as I can see, plugging x = 2, t = 2 and v = 0.6c into those equations for the Lorentz transformation gives you x' = 1 and t' = 1.

x' = (2 - 0.6 x 2)/sqrt(1 - 0.36) = (2 - 1.2)/0.8) = 1.

etc.
 
  • #3
Hey, thanks, yossell...

Needed a kickstart as I was drawing a blank. Remember, this is still relatively new to me.

Sometimes the answer lies right in front of you and you don't see it. Surely glad that Fleming saw it when he saw that the Penicillium mold blocked the growth of staphylococcal aureus bacteria (1928.)

stevmg
 

Related to How Do Minkowski Diagrams Illustrate Lorentz Transformations?

1. What is the Minkowski Equation - II?

The Minkowski Equation - II, also known as the Minkowski functional, is a mathematical equation used to define a convex set in a normed vector space. It is a generalization of the Euclidean distance formula, taking into account the shape and size of the set instead of just the distance between points.

2. How is the Minkowski Equation - II used in science?

The Minkowski Equation - II has many applications in different fields of science, including physics, engineering, and computer science. It is used to define and analyze convex sets in vector spaces, which can represent physical phenomena such as electric fields or geometric shapes. It is also used in optimization problems and pattern recognition algorithms.

3. What are the key components of the Minkowski Equation - II?

The Minkowski Equation - II consists of the norm function, which measures the distance between points in a vector space, and the set of coefficients, which define the shape and size of the convex set. These coefficients are usually represented by a set of weights or dimensions, depending on the context of the problem.

4. How is the Minkowski Equation - II related to other mathematical equations?

The Minkowski Equation - II is closely related to the Minkowski distance formula, which is a special case of the equation when the set is a unit ball. It is also a generalization of the Pythagorean theorem, as it takes into account the spatial dimensions of the set in addition to the distance between points.

5. What are some potential limitations of the Minkowski Equation - II?

One limitation of the Minkowski Equation - II is that it can only be applied to convex sets, which have a simple and well-defined structure. It also relies on the choice of the norm function and the set of coefficients, which may vary depending on the problem at hand. Additionally, it may not be suitable for certain non-linear or high-dimensional data sets.

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