physics user1
Why does the Lorentz transformation use t' instead of t?
- Level: Undergrad
- Thread starter physics user1
- Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 1K views
Physics news on Phys.org
Discussion
Mentor
- 15,584
- 10,900
If the origin of the primed coordinate system is moving at speed ##v## relative to the origin of the unprimed coordinate system, then the origin of the unprimed coordinate system is moving at speed ##-v## relative to the origin of the primed coordinate system. Because neither frame is prefered, the transformation from the primed coordinates to the unprimed coordinates must be the same as the transformation from the unprimed coordinates to the primed coordinates, except with ##v## replaced by ##-v##. That's where the circled equation comes from.Cozma Alex said:Why does it use t' in that equation and not t? Isn't the equation relative to what an observer in the external frame of reference see? So if it is why not using the time he register?
Similar threads
- Samama Fahim
- · Replies 33 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 33
- AhmedHesham
- · Replies 5 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 5
- digi99
- · Replies 16 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 16
- berlinspeed
- · Replies 15 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 15
Undergrad
Lorentz transformation in 2 dimensions
- jonjacson
- · Replies 5 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 5
- arindamsinha
- · Replies 35 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 35
- jaumzaum
- · Replies 13 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 13
- ZirkMan
- · Replies 4 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 4
Graduate
Deriving the Lorentz Transformation
- toothpaste666
- · Replies 27 ·
- Special and General Relativity
- Replies
- 27
- Math Amateur
- · Replies 2 ·
- Topology and Analysis
- Replies
- 2