Relativistic speeds going perpendicular

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion addresses the relativistic effects on the perception of speed between two objects traveling at velocities close to the speed of light (c) along perpendicular axes (x and y). The key point is that while Newtonian physics simplifies this to a straightforward interpretation of relative motion, relativistic physics requires the application of the vector form of the relativistic velocity addition formula. This formula accurately describes how each object perceives the other's speed as moving directly away at a velocity slightly less than c.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special relativity principles
  • Familiarity with the relativistic velocity addition formula
  • Basic knowledge of vector mathematics
  • Concept of reference frames in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the vector notation of the relativistic velocity addition formula
  • Explore the implications of special relativity on perpendicular motion
  • Investigate the effects of relativistic speeds on time dilation and length contraction
  • Examine case studies involving high-speed particle collisions in physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of advanced physics, and anyone interested in the implications of special relativity on motion and speed perception.

Swankie
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Couldnt find anything from 15min of forum searching...

If 2 objects are traveling along say, an x and y axis(or just 90 degrees apart really) at close to c, how do they interpret each others speeds? 0<theta<90 are easy enough. Couldnt find anything about perpendicular though.

A Newtonian version of this problem is simple enough but I am not sure when you are going at the speeds I am tlaking about.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
They're just going to interpret the other one as moving directly away at slightly closer to c.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
142
  • · Replies 115 ·
4
Replies
115
Views
11K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K