Yale University's special relativity lectures

[iyasq8]

Can anyone tell me what mathematical skill did the professor use for finding gamma in his first lecture?


Thank You

 

[Naty1]

Only if you post the link you refer to.

 

[iyasq8]

in 57:00

 

[Naty1]

Sorry, short on time...try here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_transformation#From_physical_principles

 

[Dale]

Can anyone tell me what mathematical skill did the professor use for finding gamma in his first lecture?

Algebra.

 

[iyasq8]

Can you please be more specific..

 

[Matterwave]

He constructed a thought experiment, and then used the 2 postulates of special relativity to get the equations that related (x,t) with (x',t'). He then used algebra to find exactly what the relationship was in terms of known quantities (u and c and initial conditions) thereby giving you the gamma terms.

 

[Dale]

Can you please be more specific..

Why don't you try to be more specific in your question. The mathematical skill used is basic algebra, so if that doesn't answer your question then you need to clarify your question.