ODU : Special Relativity

Question 1

Einstein’s Postulates

Answer 1

1. The law of physics are the same for two observers moving at a constant speed relative to one another.
2. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers

Question 2

Intertial Reference frames

Answer 2

Simply two places that are moving at constant speeds relative to one another.

Question 3

absolute reference frames

Answer 3

A unique, universal frame of referance from whihc everything could be defined or measured. Einstein’s theories prove no such reference frame exists.

Question 4

Time Dialation

Answer 4

The apparent increase in time of an event for an object that is moving relative to an observer

Question 5

Length Contraction

Answer 5

The apparent decrease in length of an object that is moving relative to an observer

Question 6

Lorenz factor

Answer 6

For non-relativistic speeds, the Lorenz factor, y, becomes approximately equal to 1. This means that relativistic effects (e.g time dialiation and length contraction ) are negligible