Relative Velocity: Deriving Velocity from Time & Distance

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on deriving velocity from time and distance in different reference frames, particularly in the context of special relativity. Participants explore the relationships between quantities in moving and stationary frames, addressing potential mistakes in mathematical expressions and assumptions related to simultaneity, time dilation, and length contraction.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests deriving velocity using relations between time and distance in moving and stationary frames, seeking clarification on their approach.
  • Another participant points out a misunderstanding regarding the relativity of simultaneity, asserting that the initial mathematical expression for velocity is incorrect.
  • A participant reiterates their expression for velocity, questioning the validity of the critique and seeking further clarification on the mistake mentioned.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the variable substitution from x to l does not hold, indicating that l represents a different quantity and prompts for the correct formula for x.
  • One participant advises against using shortcut formulas like time dilation and length contraction, recommending the Lorentz transform instead, and provides the relevant equations while explaining their applicability under certain conditions.
  • The same participant clarifies that the time dilation and length contraction formulas are special cases that do not apply in the current context, suggesting that the correct approach involves using the derived expressions from the Lorentz transform.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the initial mathematical expressions and the applicability of certain formulas. There is no consensus on the correct approach to deriving velocity, and multiple competing views remain regarding the use of different equations and assumptions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the underlying assumptions of various equations, indicating that the discussion may depend on specific definitions and contexts of the quantities involved. The applicability of time dilation and length contraction is also questioned, suggesting unresolved mathematical steps in the derivation process.

Goodver
Messages
101
Reaction score
1
if we know the relations between time and distance at the moving frame and stationary frame why can't we derive the velocity in the moving frame in a such way.

Please point out my mistake. See attachment.
 

Attachments

  • tmp_selection-1769748379.jpg
    tmp_selection-1769748379.jpg
    25.2 KB · Views: 408
  • tmp_selection1428845184.png
    tmp_selection1428845184.png
    13.8 KB · Views: 477
Physics news on Phys.org
You are forgetting the relativity of simultaneity. Mathematically, your expression for velocity is incorrect: ##v=dx/dt \ne dl_0/dt_0##
 
DaleSpam said:
You are forgetting the relativity of simultaneity. Mathematically, your expression for velocity is incorrect: ##v=dx/dt \ne dl_0/dt_0##

Thanks! Sorry I could not get where exactly the mistake you mentioned.

v = dx / dt
vo = dxo / dto

is not this correct?

Instead of x I am using l
 
L is not x, it is not merely a variable substitution you are doing. It is a completely different quantity.

What is the formula for x? How does that compare to the formula you have for l?
 
Sorry my previous responses were perhaps overly brief, my attention was split.

One of the most important things in science is learning what the various equations represent and what the underlying assumptions are for that equation.

The time dilation equation and the length contraction equation are special cases, and do not always apply. The general formula is the Lorentz transform, and I strongly recommend that you use it instead of the shortcut formulas. Here is the Lorentz transform for one spatial dimension:
##t' = (t-vx/c^2)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}##
##x' = (x-vt)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}##

If you have the quantities ##\Delta t=t_b-t_a##, ##\Delta x=x_b-x_a##, ##\Delta t'=t'_b-t'_a##, and ##\Delta x'=x'_b-x'_a## then it is easy to show that:
##\Delta t' = (\Delta t-v\Delta x/c^2)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}##
##\Delta x' = (\Delta x-v\Delta t)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}##

If ##\Delta x = 0##, then you get the time dilation formula that you posted, however, in this problem ##\Delta x\ne 0##, so the time dilation formula does not apply. Similarly, the length contraction formula assumes that the object whose length is being measured is at rest in one of the frames, and since the runner is not at rest in either frame the length contraction formula also does not apply.

Instead, we have ##v_0=\Delta x/\Delta t##. In the other frame we have:
$$v'_0=\frac{\Delta x'}{\Delta t'} = \frac{(\Delta x-v\Delta t)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}{(\Delta t-v\Delta x/c^2)/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}} = \frac{v_0\Delta t-v\Delta t}{\Delta t-v \, v_0\Delta t/c^2} = \frac{v_0-v}{1-v_0 v/c^2} $$
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

  • · Replies 55 ·
2
Replies
55
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K