Lorentz Transformation of Velocity 4 Vector Help

In summary, the question is asking for the standard Lorentz transformation for a four velocity, which is the same as a position vector.
  • #1
cooev769
114
0
So i am working on a question, which is beyond my knowledge of Lorentz transformations and some help is greatly appreciated.

I have a 4 velocity, u=γ(v vector,c) and its transformation properties are the standard lorentz boost. I don't quite understand how I am supposed to do this given that there will be a transformation for each component, and I don't know whether for each component given x1*=γ(x1-Vt). Is the V in the direction of the component and if so isn't it equal to x1 anyway because x1 in this case is a velocity?

Obtain the lorentz transformation for each component and then deduce the velocity addition formula for v vector. You will end up with products of different γs not entirely sure why either.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I have already done some assuming the velocity to be only in the first component direction which i know is wrong but i have never actually been taught the general boost yet they chuck it in the questions.

Thanks.
 
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  • #3
Thanks for the help bt we are only given

[itex]x' = \gamma (x - V t)[/itex]
[itex]y' = y[/itex]
[itex]z' = z[/itex]
[itex]t' = \gamma (t - \frac{Vx}{c^2}) [/itex]

Cheers
 
  • #4
Let O and O' be two inertial observers. Let S and S' be the inertial coordinate systems they use. The Lorentz transformation from S to S' is given by the formulas you posted only when the velocity of O' in the coordinate system S is (v,0,0). This v has nothing to do with the velocity that you're supposed to transform.
 
  • #5
Yeah i figured that but when I transform each component do I turn V into the velocity of the inertial frame in the given direction?
 
  • #6
I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean, but I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

Note that the Lorentz transformation from S to S' is just one function that takes (t,x,y,z) to (t',x',y',z'). This function is determined up to a rotation by the velocity of O' in S. If this velocity is in the direction of one of the spatial axes of S, then it's extremely convenient to let the other two spatial axes of S' coincide with the corresponding two spatial axes of S. If we do this, then the Lorentz transformation is completely determined by the velocity of O' in S. (So a different velocity would give us a different Lorentz transformation).

What you're suggesting sounds like this: First apply a Lorentz transformation to (t,something,something,something), then another Lorentz transformation to (something,x,something,something), then another to (something,something,y,something), and finally another to (something,something,something,z). You would be applying four different transformations (at least three of them different from the one you were given) to four different vectors (all of them different from the one you were given).
 
  • #7
Yeah this question may just be really poorly worded. Given they asked for the standard configuration boost, I'm assuming they mean the movement is along one of the axis.
 
  • #8
You should post the full problem statement. I just noticed that you're supposed to derive the velocity addition law. This makes it pretty clear (to me) that you're dealing with a 4-velocity that corresponds to a velocity in the x direction, and will have to use a Lorentz boost with a velocity in the x direction.

Since this is a textbook-style problem, we will have to treat it as homework. We will give you hints, but we won't solve the problem for you.
 
  • #9
That's cool I don't really have a problem doing an standard Lorentz boost but this is worded ambiguously at least to me that a nudge in the right direction would be helpful.

Q. Since the four velocity u=gamma(v vector, c) is a four vector, it's transformation properties are simple. Write down the standard Lorenz boost for all four components of u. Use these to deduce the velocity addition formula for v vector. Hint you will get products of different gamma's, don't try to algebraically simplify them, instead loom for ways to eliminate them.

Cheers.
 
  • #10
OK, I see. Your first task is to do a Lorentz transformation to find the components of u in another coordinate system. Then you need to use the result to calculate the velocity of the particle in that coordinate system. (How do you obtain a velocity from a four-velocity?)
 
  • #11
So is the Lorentz transformation for a four velocity the same as a position vector?
 
  • #12
Or do I define u related to the derivative of a given x and transform the x?
 
  • #13
It's the same as for a position vector. Note by the way that since a four-velocity is a tangent vector to the world line, and we're dealing with a world line through the origin, the four-velocity is equal to the coordinate 4-tuple of a point on the world line. So in a way, you are transforming the coordinates of an event.
 
  • #14
Okay and given the general transformation is

X1' = gamma(x1 - Vx4)

Do I just use x1 as the value for V? Because that would be the v in the direction of v1.
 
  • #15
cooev769 said:
Okay and given the general transformation is

X1' = gamma(x1 - Vx4)
That's how you calculate one of the components, yes.

cooev769 said:
Do I just use x1 as the value for V? Because that would be the v in the direction of v1.
I don't fully understand what you're asking, but you don't use anything as the value for V. You're doing the calculation for an arbitrary V.
 
  • #16
Well we just started relativity and the only transformation we have been given is the following.

X1' = gamma (x1 - vx4)
X2' = x2
X3' = x3
X4' = gamma (x4 - vx1)

And we are giving x1 and so on for a velocity four vector. So if it is done as I think and as you suggested you just transform each component. It doesn't seem natural that you just chuck in

V1' = gamma (v1 - v x4)

And so on. I'm assuming this is wrong but this is the extent of my knowledge on Lorentz transformations as we are in our first week and I have a horrible lecturer and the book is quite convoluted. What do I use for v in the transformation if this is the way it is to be transformed?
 
  • #17
As I said earlier, v is just the velocity of O' in S. (O and O' are inertial observers; S and S' are their inertial coordinate systems). The four-velocity u is the components in S of a tangent vector to the world line of some object that's moving independently of O and O'. There is no relationship between u and v.

What you wrote as V1' = gamma (v1 - v x4) should be u1' = gamma (u1 - v u4), but I assume that the x was just a typo. Don't use the letter v for two unrelated things (the velocity of O' in S, and the four-velocity of some object in S).

I agree that it doesn't seem natural, but it's the right way to transform components of four-velocity. You may want to try to prove that when you're done with this problem.

If you don't like your book, I would recommend that you find a copy of "A first course in general relativity" by Schutz. The book starts with an excellent introduction to special relativity.
 
  • #18
Thanks very much for your patience. That has definitely clarified things. I'll give the book a go.
 
  • #19
Is this in the right direction?

[itex] u1 = \gamma (u1 - v1 t) [/itex]

And then do this for each u up to 3 what about 4 usually that's just

[itex] t4 = \gamma (t - v1 x1/ c) [/itex]
 
  • #20
No, it's not. Why is there a t in there?

I think I may have caused some of the confusion by not noticing that you said "u=gamma(v vector, c)". The "v" I've been talking about has nothing to do with this v. My v is the V that appears in the first version of the Lorentz transformation that you posted. And I haven't even been explaining it accurately enough. I said that it's the velocity of O' in S, but that's only accurate in 1+1 dimensions, where velocities are numbers rather than vectors. In 3+1 dimensions, the velocity of O' in S is a vector. If we know that the y and z components of this vector are zero, then we can write it as (w,0,0), where w is a real number. (I'm using the symbol w now, since the problem is using both v and u for other things). This w is what you denoted by V (uppercase) earlier. Note that it's not the velocity of O' in S, it's just the x component of that velocity.

If we do a Lorentz boost of u in the x direction, we have ##u'_1=\gamma(u_1-wu_4)## and so on.

The only thing the problem says about u is that it's a four-vector, and that we should use the following notation:
$$u=(u_1,u_2,u_3,u_4)=\gamma\left(\frac{u_1}{\gamma},\frac{u_2}{\gamma},\frac{u_3}{\gamma}, \frac{u_4}{\gamma}\right)=\gamma(v_1,v_2,v_3,c)=\gamma\left(\vec v,c\right).$$ It doesn't say that ##\vec v## is in the x direction. It also doesn't say that the Lorentz boost we should do is in the x direction (i.e. that the velocity of O' in S is in the x direction). I'm just assuming that everything is in the x direction, because the problem is unreasonably hard if it's not. If everything is in the x direction, and we write ##\vec v## as (v,0,0), the velocity addition law that you're supposed to find is (in units such that c=1):
$$w\oplus v=\frac{w+v}{1+wv}.$$ If we don't make this assumption, the velocity addition law looks like this instead:
$$\vec w\oplus\vec v=\frac{1}{1+\vec w\cdot\vec v}\bigg(\vec w+\vec v+\frac{\gamma_{\vec w}}{1+\gamma_{\vec w}}\vec w\times(\vec w\times\vec v)\bigg).$$ Since this one is unreasonably hard to prove in the early parts of an introductory course, I have to assume that you should prove the first one.
 

1. What is the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector?

The Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector is a mathematical formula used in Einstein's theory of special relativity to describe how velocity measurements change between two reference frames that are moving relative to each other at a constant speed. It takes into account the effects of time dilation and length contraction on an object's velocity as observed from different frames of reference.

2. How is the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector derived?

The Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector is derived from the Lorentz transformation equations, which were developed by Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz in the late 19th century. These equations describe how space and time coordinates change for observers in different frames of reference. The velocity 4 vector is derived by combining these equations with the principle of relativity and the constancy of the speed of light.

3. What is the significance of the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector?

The Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector is significant because it helps us understand how the laws of physics behave in different frames of reference. It also plays a crucial role in Einstein's theory of special relativity, which has been confirmed by countless experiments and is essential for our modern understanding of space and time. The transformation allows us to make accurate predictions about the behavior of objects at high speeds, which is important in fields such as particle physics and cosmology.

4. Can the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector be applied to all types of motion?

Yes, the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector can be applied to all types of motion, as long as it is happening at a constant speed. This includes linear motion, circular motion, and even rotational motion. However, it is important to note that the transformation only applies to motion in a straight line or on a curved path. It cannot be used to describe acceleration or changes in direction.

5. How can I use the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector in my research or experiments?

If your field of study involves objects moving at high speeds, such as in particle physics or astrophysics, then the Lorentz transformation of velocity 4 vector is an essential tool for making accurate predictions and understanding the behavior of these objects. It is also used in various technological applications, such as GPS systems and particle accelerators. Understanding and applying this transformation can greatly enhance your research and experiments in these fields.

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