special relatiivity essay matter and energy 2 - Sebastián Ruiz Chong

Vista previa del material en texto

Matter and Energy II 
 
 
506 
 
 
Special Theory of Relativity Theory 
 
 
Sebastián Ruiz Chong 
 
 
 
 
20/11/2022 
One of the most significant works in the history of physics is Albert Einstein's 1905 
theory of special relativity. The theory of special relativity explains how speed affects 
space, time, and mass. Small amounts of mass (m) can be interchangeable with 
large amounts of energy (E), as defined by the classic equation E = mc2, according 
to the theory, which offers a means for the speed of light to define the link between 
energy and matter. 
Numerous effects of special relativity have been empirically confirmed. There is a 
universal speed limit, mass-energy equivalence, the speed of causality, the Thomas 
precession, the relativity of simultaneity, length contraction, time dilation, the 
relativistic velocity addition formula, the relativistic Doppler effect, and relativistic 
mass. For instance, it has replaced the traditional idea of an absolute universal time 
with the idea of a time that is based on a frame of reference and spatial location. 
 
The theory is "special" in that it only applies when spacetime is "flat," or when the 
curvature of spacetime (which is caused by the energy-momentum tensor and 
represents gravity) is minimal. Einstein created general relativity in 1915 to properly 
account for gravity. Contrary to some historical accounts, special relativity allows for 
both accelerations and accelerating frames of reference. 
 
The mass of an object and the energy needed to move it both become infinite as it 
gets closer to the speed of light. This implies that no substance can move more 
quickly than light does. 
 
Two of the most widely accepted theories of how our universe functions are special 
relativity and quantum mechanics. However, the main application of special relativity 
is to enormously huge distances, speeds, and objects, bringing them all together in 
a "smooth" description of the cosmos. According to Corey Powell for The Guardian, 
events under special (and general) relativity are continuous and deterministic, which 
means that every action has a direct and local consequence. In contrast, Powell 
explained, quantum mechanics is "chunky," with events taking place in jumps or 
"quantum leaps" with probabilistic rather than definite results. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lorentz transformation 
Assume that an event has the following coordinates in spacetime: (t, x, y, z) in 
system S and (t′, x, y, z) in system S′, a reference frame that is travelling at v in 
relation to that frame. The Lorentz transformation thus provides the following 
relationship between these coordinates: 
 
where, 
 
is the Lorentz factor, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum, and the velocity of S′ 
relative to S is parallel to the x-axis. Only the x and t coordinates are modified, 
leaving the y and z coordinates unaltered for the sake of simplicity. The linear 
mappings formed by these Lorentz transformations have a single parameter termed 
rapidity. 
 
Twin Paradox 
The counterintuitive nature of Einstein’s ideas makes them difficult to absorb and 
gives rise to situations that seem unfathomable. For example, suppose that one of 
two identical twin sisters flies off into space at nearly the speed of light. According 
to relativity, time runs more slowly on her spacecraft than it does on Earth; therefore, 
when she returns to Earth, she will be younger than her Earth-bound sister. But in 
relativity, what one observer sees as happening to a second one, the second one 
sees as happening to the first one. To the space-going sister, time moves more 
slowly on Earth than it does in her spacecraft; when she returns, her Earth-bound 
sister is the one who is younger. How can the space-going twin be both younger and 
older than her Earth-bound sister? 
The traveling twin's trajectory requires two different inertial frames, one for the 
outward voyage and one for the inbound journey and can be resolved within the 
conventional framework of special relativity. A different perspective would be to see 
the travelling twin as a non-inertial observer because he is accelerating. The twins' 
spacetime pathways are not symmetrical in either of the two viewpoints. Since there 
is no logical conflict, the twin dilemma cannot be considered a paradox. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
References 
Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity. (2022, February 1). Space.com. 
https://www.space.com/36273-theory-special-relativity.html 
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, November 12). Special relativity. Wikipedia. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity 
Wikipedia contributors. (2022a, November 10). Twin paradox. Wikipedia. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_paradox 
Perkowitz, S. (2013, June 14). twin paradox. Encyclopedia Britannica. 
https://www.britannica.com/science/twin-paradox 
 
https://www.space.com/36273-theory-special-relativity.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_paradox
https://www.britannica.com/science/twin-paradox