Needing a basic clarification with SR

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jam.muskopf
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sr
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concepts of Special Relativity (SR) and General Relativity (GR), specifically addressing the misunderstanding of velocity addition and the speed of light. It is established that according to the postulate of SR, all observers measure the speed of light as c, regardless of their relative motion. The velocity addition formula, which accounts for time dilation, clarifies that two objects cannot exceed the speed of light when observed from any frame of reference. The provided link to HyperPhysics serves as a resource for further understanding these principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Special Relativity (SR) principles
  • Familiarity with General Relativity (GR) concepts
  • Basic knowledge of velocity addition formulas
  • Comprehension of time dilation effects
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the velocity addition formula in Special Relativity
  • Explore the implications of time dilation in different frames of reference
  • Review empirical observations supporting the constancy of the speed of light
  • Investigate the differences between Special Relativity and General Relativity
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching relativity concepts, and anyone seeking to clarify misunderstandings about the speed of light and its implications in different frames of reference.

jam.muskopf
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I am new to understanding the concepts in SR and GR, and one of the main concepts i am having difficulty with is the speed limit. I don't understand why things can't already be moving at the speed of light in certain frames of reference. For instance, from the Earth's frame of reference, isn't it possible for something to be traveling c/2 in one direction and something else to be traveling at c/2 in the exact opposite direction, making the velocity from either object's frame of reference c?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, look up velocity addition in wikipedia.
 
Thanks!
 
These equations on velocity addition are based off time dilation, correct?
 
jam.muskopf said:
These equations on velocity addition are based off time dilation, correct?

No, they are based on the postulate (or empirical observation) that all observers measure the speed of light to be c, regardless of their frame of reference.
 

Similar threads

High School Differences in Predictions between SR and LR?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad SR flat Lorentzian manifold and Anderson simultaneity convention
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad SR textbooks discussing accelerated reference frames without delving into GR
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
Undergrad Hafele-Keating Exp: Balancing SR Effects in Plane Ref Frame
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
4K
High School Relative rate of clock ticks on the radius of a rotating disc
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
High School Am I understanding the concept of proper frame of reference?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Undergrad What if one is in 1905 and debating foundational fundamentals?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
High School Traveling through space at zero km/s
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
745
High School Why Shouldn't I Be Skeptical About SR Postulate No.1?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about special relativity and magnetism
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
925