Reducing the time invested in teaching SR

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Lorentz transformations (LT) in special relativity (SR) and the implications of deriving transformations for various physical quantities based on the transformations for position and time. Participants explore the kinematic origins of relativistic effects and the relationships between different physical quantities such as momentum, energy, and wave properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether deriving the LT for position and time is sufficient to mimic transformations for other quantities, suggesting this could obscure the kinematic origins of relativistic effects.
  • Clarifications are sought regarding the notation used in the equations, particularly the meanings of variables such as u, p, k, and f.
  • One participant provides definitions for the variables, explaining u as the speed of a particle, p as its momentum, and k and f as related to electromagnetic wave properties.
  • There is a proposal that if k is the wave number and f is the frequency, then a relationship involving k, u, and c^2 should hold, prompting further discussion on notation.
  • Another participant expresses a preference for discussing energy rather than relativistic mass, suggesting alternative formulations for momentum and energy transformations.
  • Some participants reflect on their learning experiences with SR, mentioning the importance of understanding how relativistic mass and momentum relate to the postulates of SR.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the sufficiency of deriving LT for position and time alone, and multiple competing views regarding the treatment of relativistic mass and the relationships between physical quantities remain evident.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the clarity of notation and definitions, as well as unresolved mathematical relationships among the various physical quantities discussed.

bernhard.rothenstein
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If
x=u(x)t
p(x)=u(x)t
k(x)=uf and probably many other such equations, then why it is not enough to derive the LT for x and t and to mimick the transformations for all the others?
Would that obscure or reduce transparence. Would that show the kinematic origin of all the relativistic effects (relative motion)?
Thanks for your answers.
 
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bernhard.rothenstein said:
If
x=u(x)t
p(x)=u(x)t
k(x)=uf and probably many other such equations, then why it is not enough to derive the LT for x and t and to mimick the transformations for all the others?
Would that obscure or reduce transparence. Would that show the kinematic origin of all the relativistic effects (relative motion)?
Thanks for your answers.

It would be nice if you can explain the meaning of your equations and notation. I barely recognize t as time and x as position. What is u? p? k?, f?

Eugene.
 
lorentz transformation

meopemuk said:
It would be nice if you can explain the meaning of your equations and notation. I barely recognize t as time and x as position. What is u? p? k?, f?

Eugene.
u is the speed of a particle that moves with speed u in the positive direction of the OX axis going through the origin at t=0.
p is the OX component of the same particle whereas m is its mass
f and k represent the frequency of the electromagnetic oscillations in an electromagnetic wave, and k the OX component of the wave vector. I hope I have given the correct English terms.
So if I start with
x=ut in I and x'=u't' in I' the Lorentz transformations give
x=g(V)[x'+Vt'] (1)
t=g(V)(t'+Vx'/cc) (2)
If I start with
p=um in I and p'=u'm' then mimicking (1) and (2) I could say that p and m transform as
p=g(V)[p'+Vm'] (3)
m=g(V)[m'+Vp'/cc] (4)
and I could continue with all the pair of physical quantities related by
S=uT in I and S'=u'T' where S is a space-like physical quantity T being a time like physical quantity.
All further questions you could ask are in my benefit!
Regards
 
bernhard.rothenstein said:
If
x=u(x)t
p(x)=u(x)t
k(x)=uf and probably many other such equations, then why it is not enough to derive the LT for x and t and to mimick the transformations for all the others?
Would that obscure or reduce transparence. Would that show the kinematic origin of all the relativistic effects (relative motion)?
Thanks for your answers.
If k is the wave number (= 2(pi)/lambda), f the frequency and u the particle's speed (= group velocity), shouldn't be k = 2(pi)uf/c^2 ?
 
bernhard.rothenstein said:
u is the speed of a particle that moves with speed u in the positive direction of the OX axis going through the origin at t=0.
p is the OX component of the same particle whereas m is its mass
f and k represent the frequency of the electromagnetic oscillations in an electromagnetic wave, and k the OX component of the wave vector. I hope I have given the correct English terms.
So if I start with
x=ut in I and x'=u't' in I' the Lorentz transformations give
x=g(V)[x'+Vt'] (1)
t=g(V)(t'+Vx'/cc) (2)
If I start with
p=um in I and p'=u'm' then mimicking (1) and (2) I could say that p and m transform as
p=g(V)[p'+Vm'] (3)
m=g(V)[m'+Vp'/cc] (4)

I wouldn't talk about relativistic mass; I would write instead:

p=g(V)[p'+VE'/cc]

E/cc = g(V)[E'/cc+Vp'/cc]

E = energy.
 
Lt

lightarrow said:
If k is the wave number (= 2(pi)/lambda), f the frequency and u the particle's speed (= group velocity), shouldn't be k = 2(pi)uf/c^2 ?
Thanks. I think it is a question of notation but that is not essential in the discussion I started.
REGARDS
 
lt

lightarrow said:
I wouldn't talk about relativistic mass; I would write instead:

p=g(V)[p'+VE'/cc]

E/cc = g(V)[E'/cc+Vp'/cc]

E = energy.

Thanks. I am not so sensitive concerning the concept of relativistic mass. When I started learning SR I knew that p=mu (1) in I and p'=m'u' (2) in I'. I also knew from relativistic kinematics the way in which parallel speeds add. Starting with (1), (2) and the addition law we are able to derive the properties m (m') should have in order to do not violate the postulates of SR.
All that is not esential in the discussion I started.
Regards
 

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