Is x Equal to x' and t Equal to t' in Lorentz Transformations?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation and application of the Lorentz transformations in the context of special relativity, specifically addressing whether the variables x and x' (position) and t and t' (time) can be considered equal in certain scenarios. Participants explore the derivation of related formulas, such as length contraction and time dilation, while seeking clarification on specific values presented in a referenced text.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the original poster (OP) should clarify the specific problem and the book being referenced to facilitate better assistance.
  • There is a proposal that the OP might be trying to derive either the length contraction or time dilation formulas, but this remains unconfirmed.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the values of x and t, questioning whether they are the same as x' and t', and how to derive the formulas based on the provided information.
  • One participant notes that the equations for x and t transformations are mentioned in the referenced chapter, implying that substitution of values should yield the corresponding t' values.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for the OP to provide more context or details about their confusion regarding the equations and the specific ticks of a clock mentioned in the passage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific problem being addressed or the interpretation of the values for x, x', t, and t'. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the application of the Lorentz transformations and the derivation of related formulas.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the OP's lack of clarity on the specific problem and the assumptions regarding the equality of variables x and x' and t and t'. There is also an unresolved question about the values provided in the referenced text and how they relate to the transformations.

Nagisa Kawahara
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
TL;DR
Very confusing indeed.. How should I use the First and fourth Lorentz equation to get the t and t’ ??
image.jpg
image.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You will get better and more helpful answers if you would tell us what book you're working from (the historians among us will recognize it but that's not somethng you should count on)and what problem you're trying to solve (we can guess, but again you shouldn't count on us guessing right).

My guess is that you're trying to derive either the length contraction formula or the time dilation formula... but if so you should show your work up to where you got stuck and we can help you past the hard spot.
 
This book is available online. The photos in the OP are from https://www.bartleby.com/173/12.html. The first and fourth equations referred to are in the previous chapter, and are the ##x## and ##t## transforms. This is all information you really should have given in your first post.

All you are being asked to do is substitute the given values ##x## and ##t## into those formulae to get the corresponding ##t'## values. I don't see what's difficult about that. If that's not what you are trying to do, you need to explain more.
 
Ibix said:
This book is available online. The photos in the OP are from https://www.bartleby.com/173/12.html. The first and fourth equations referred to are in the previous chapter, and are the ##x## and ##t## transforms. This is all information you really should have given in your first post.

All you are being asked to do is substitute the given values ##x## and ##t## into those formulae to get the corresponding ##t'## values. I don't see what's difficult about that. If that's not what you are trying to do, you need to explain more.
I’ve been looking for the value of x and t but in the passage they only give the value of x’ and t’. Or is it actually the same value for both x and x’, and, t and t’? So i cannot derive the formula and get the equation in the passage. My confusion is in the passage:
“The first and fourth equations of the Lorentz transformation give for these two ticks: t=0 and t’= one over square root of one minus v square over c square.”
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    65.7 KB · Views: 170
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 170
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    58.3 KB · Views: 169
Nugatory said:
You will get better and more helpful answers if you would tell us what book you're working from (the historians among us will recognize it but that's not somethng you should count on)and what problem you're trying to solve (we can guess, but again you shouldn't count on us guessing right).

My guess is that you're trying to derive either the length contraction formula or the time dilation formula... but if so you should show your work up to where you got stuck and we can help you past the hard spot.
I think its the time dilation formula because it involves the two ticks of a clock. But i’m new to this, so i was hoping that someone could give an explanation as to the purpose of the Lorentz Equation and the way to derive the formula to get the equation of the two ticks.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    67.6 KB · Views: 168
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    94.7 KB · Views: 173
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    55.4 KB · Views: 153
Nagisa Kawahara said:
I think its the time dilation formula because it involves the two ticks of a clock. But i’m new to this, so i was hoping that someone could give an explanation as to the purpose of the Lorentz Equation and the way to derive the formula to get the equation of the two ticks.
Its from the book “The special and general theory by Albert Einstein”
 
Nagisa Kawahara said:
I’ve been looking for the value of x and t but in the passage they only give the value of x’ and t’. Or is it actually the same value for both x and x’, and, t and t’? So i cannot derive the formula and get the equation in the passage. My confusion is in the passage:
“The first and fourth equations of the Lorentz transformation give for these two ticks: t=0 and t’= one over square root of one minus v square over c square.”
##x=0##, ##t=0## and ##x=0##, ##t=1##. It says so in your first picture.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Nagisa Kawahara

Similar threads

  • · Replies 101 ·
4
Replies
101
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
990
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K