SHS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Quarter 2 – Module 7
Theory of Special Relativity

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Physical Science (Core Subject) – Grade 11/12

SECOND QUARTER – MODULE 7: Theory of Special Relativity

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Marileah R.Mendina

Editors/Reviewers: Jocelyn Navera, Brenly Mendoza, Kristina Nieves, Aster Malto,

Jeanine Cristobal and Kenneth De la Fuente

Layout Artist: Jose Gamas Jr.

Language Editor: Diana Desuyo

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 Supplementary Learning Module for Senior High School Learners

LESSON
THEORY OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY

Did you know that everything is moving? Even you, as

you are sitting perfectly still, because the earth is moving,
and the sun and the galaxy, and so forth. Everything is
moving relative to everything else.
Relativity connects time and space, space and time, even
electricity and magnetism – making it possible for scientists
to have a better understanding of the physical universe.
In this module, you will learn about Special Relativity and discover how it
resolved the conflict between Newtonian Mechanics and Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Theory.
Who formulated the Theory of Special Relativity? What makes this theory special?
Find out in this lesson.

Learning the concepts related to Special Relativity will

be your tool to better understand the world of Cosmos and
Physics. Are you now ready to learn?
Make sure to perform all the activities diligently to ensure
full understanding of the lesson. Rest assured, this will be
another exciting and fun-filled learning adventure.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

Explain how special relativity resolved the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory.
(S11/12PS-IVi-j-69)

• explain how special relativity resolved the

conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory.

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 Directions: Identify what is asked or described in each
item then write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which among the following resolves the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory?
A. Theory of General Relativity
B. Theory of Special Relativity
C. Law of Universal Gravitation
D. Law of Conservation of Energy
2. Which of the following is not a main idea behind the theory of special relativity?
A. That there is no absolute frame of reference.
B. That the Earth is the only absolute frame of reference.
C. That the laws of physics hold in every frame of reference.
D. That the speed of light is a universal constant that is always the same.
3. To which of the following can the concepts of Newtonian mechanics be applied?
A. Objects with speed much smaller than the speed of light.
B. Objects with speed much greater than the speed of light.
C. Objects with speed equal to the speed of light.
D. Objects with speed twice the speed of light.
4. Which of the following correctly describes the statement: The speed of light is
constant?
The statement is _____________________.
A. always true.
B. sometimes true.
C. never true.
D. sometimes false.
5. What forces did Einstein try to unify?
A. Gravity and Electricity
B. Gravity and Magnetism
C. Gravity and Electromagnetism
D. Weak and Strong Nuclear forces

Hi! How did you find the test?

Please check your answers at the answer key section and
see how you did. Don’t worry if you got a low score, this just
means that there are more things that you can learn from
this module. So, hop on!

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 Unscrambled Me!
Direction: Name the scientists by arranging the letters written
below each picture.

pinterest.com

biography.com biography.com

Activity 1: Me Think . Me Time!

Direction: Answer the question below by writing 2 or more

sentences inside the callout box.
Question:
“If you were the scientist, how would you tell your story? Tell something about
your remarkable contribution.”

Image Credit:https://medium.com/productivity-revolution

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 Image Credit:https://www. Sciencephoto.com

Image Credit:https://www.dreamstime.com

Good job in finishing the activity! Now, take time to process the information you
acquired by accomplishing the next task.

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Activity 2: Let’s Compare!
Complete the table below by writing the statement/s appropriate to the scientist’s
idea or concept on space, time and speed of light.
*Time is constant.
*Time is changeable.
*Space and time are absolute and separate.
*Space and time are relative.
*The speed of light in free space is always the same.
*Speed of light is not constant and it depends on the speed of the observer.
* The speed of light is constant and the same for all observers.

Scientist Statement/s

Newton

Maxwell

Einstein

The concepts mentioned in the activity are all directly related to Newtonian Mechanics
and Maxwell’s Theory. Newtonian or classical mechanics has concepts that do not agree with
Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory. However, when Einstein presented his theory of special
relativity, the conflict between these two ideas was resolved. This lesson will teach us how the
theory of special relativity resolved the conflict.

Newtonian or classical mechanics dealt with the motion of the objects of typical size
around us including the force that causes these motions. The concepts under Newtonian
mechanics are mainly based on postulates of Newton about motion which correctly describes
the state of motion of an object whether at rest or moving in a straight path and the forces that
maintain and can cause changes in the body’s states of motion.

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 Galileo and Newton were aware of what we call today the relativity principle. The
Galilean-Newtonian relativity assumes that:

1. Space and time are absolute, their measurement doesn’t change from one
reference frame to another.
2. Position and speed/velocity of an object are different when specified in different
reference frames.
On the other hand, Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory consists of four formulas
gathered from the different works of Faraday and other physicists that unites all the concepts
of electricity and magnetism and had the findings that electric and magnetic fields spread as
waves. In 1886, Hertz proved that these waves really exist and the propagation speed of these
waves can be calculated using the formula:

where:
c is the speed of light
ε_0 is the electric field constant
μ_0 is the magnetic field constant

Maxwell observed that the value of the above expression is equivalent to the speed of
light c (3.0 x 108 m/s) which implies that speed of light c must also be constant. This is where
the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell’s theory starts.

Based on Maxwell’s calculation, the electromagnetic (EM) wave can travel only at one
speed (the speed of light is fixed) and there’s no provision for different frames of reference
such as ether. If Newtonian mechanics was applied, it was assumed that light would have a
different speed in different frames of reference. But it appeared that Maxwell’s equations did
not satisfy the relativity principle (that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames
and that all inertial frames of reference are equivalent). The equations were not the same in
all inertial reference frames, and seemed to single out one reference frame that was better
than any other. This reference frame that is one that is absolutely at rest in the ether (absolute
space).

Activity 3: Which is which?

If we consider a jet aircraft moving at speed 273 m/s and placed a switched on
headlight in it, according to Newtonian mechanics the speed of the light coming from the
headlight in this scenario would be 273 m/s + c(speed of light) and this contradicts what
Maxwell’s theory tells that speed of light is a constant value. Which do you think is true
between these two concepts?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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 Now, read and study on how Einstein’s Special Relativity resolved the conflict between
Newtonian Mechanics and Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Theory.

How Einstein reconciled classical mechanics and electromagnetism

He imagined rifling a light beam. What he would see are alternating electric and
magnetic fields at rest whose magnitude changed in space but did not change in time. Einstein
realized that such fields were not consistent with the electromagnetic theory. He then thought
it would be unreasonable to think that the speed of light relative to any observer could be
reduced to zero, or change at all.
Einstein concluded that the inconsistencies in Maxwell’s theory were due to the idea
of the ether and the assumption of an absolute space, and proposed to completely discard
these ideas.
Einstein’s theory of special relativity explains the problems that involve motion of
frames of reference at constant linear velocity with respect to one another.

Einstein’s theory was based on two postulates:

(1) The laws of Physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference
moving with constant velocity relative to one another. The laws of
physics do not change, even for objects moving in inertial frames of
reference. For example, when you were in a jeepney that’s travelling at a
constant speed, the exact same thing would happen to you if you were just
sitting on the surface of the Earth. In both reference frames (car and Earth),
you do not move, which shows that the laws of physics acted exactly the
same.

(2) The speed of light is the same in all inertial frames of reference. The
speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their motion
relative to the light source. Thus, an observer traveling toward a light source
would perceive light to be traveling at 3.0 x 10 8 m/s. An observer who is not
moving with respect to the source would see light to be traveling at the
speed of light (3.0 x 108 m/s). Regardless of the speed of the source of light
and speed of the observer, the speed of light remains the same.

The second postulate clearly tells that Maxwell’s idea is correct but does it mean
Newtonian mechanics is wrong? Not totally, but the postulates of Einstein tell us that
Newtonian mechanics has limitations in terms of its application.

If we consider moving objects with speed very small compared to the speed of light,
Newtonian mechanics applies like the speeds of a flying ball and running car. However, if we
consider speeds that is close to the speed of light a new concept must be included in order to
supply the limit of Newtonian mechanics and that is the Lorentz transformation, the
counterpart of the Galilean transformation of the Newtonian mechanics, expressed as:

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 WOW or WEW?
Identify whether each statement below is a WOW (means TRUE) or a WEW (means false).
Write your answer on the space provided.
__________________1. Newtonian mechanics says that the speed of light is not constant,
and it depends on the speed of the observer.
__________________2. Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory proposed that the speed of light
must be constant.
__________________3. Special Relativity tells us that the laws of physics are not the same
in all inertial frames of reference moving with constant velocity
relative to one another.
__________________4. Relativity indicates that the laws of physics should apply
everywhere in the universe if you are traveling at a constant
linear acceleration.
__________________5. In the theory of special relativity, Einstein established that the
speed of light is actually constant and space and time are
relative.

How did you find the activity? Make sure to

check your answers on the answer key. If you got 3
problems answered correctly, congratulations! If not,
try to go back to the problems once again.
This is now the end of the supplementary
learning module! You have just had an amazing and
exciting learning journey and for sure, you will have the
same in the succeeding modules.
This time, share to the class your takeaway
insights from this module by completing the following
sentence prompts.

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To strengthen what you have learned in this module, perform the activity below.

Activity: Complete a 5-minute quick write to answer the theoretical physics prompt
below:
Prompt: What do you think would happen if you were able to travel at the speed
of light? How would the universe be perceived by your senses? What would you be
able to see, hear, etc? Would the laws of physics you have observed in your house
still apply?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.

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The following terms used in this module are defined as follows:

Inertial Frame of Reference - a frame of reference that is either at rest or moving at a constant
velocity.
Postulate - a thing suggested or assumed to be true as the basis for reasoning, discussion or
belief.
Relativity - the observation of the motion of a body by two different observers in relative
motion to each other.

Directions:
Identify what is asked or described in each item then write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following statements is a postulate of special relativity?

A. All motion is relative.
B. All laws of physics reduce to Newton’s laws at low velocity.
C. Objects can never go faster than the velocity of light in any medium.
D. The laws of physics are the same for all inertial frames of reference.

2. Which of the following describes the speed of light according to Newtonian

Mechanics?

A. The speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.

B. The speed of light is constant.
C. The speed of light depends on its source.
D. The speed of light is infinite.

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3. Which of the following shows the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell’s electromagnetic (EM) theory?

A. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light is constant while Maxwell’s
EM Theory tells that the speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.
B. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light depends on the speed of
the observer while Maxwell’s EM Theory tells that the speed of light is
constant.
C. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light is constant while Maxwell’s
EM Theory tells that the speed of light does not depend on the speed of the
observer.
D. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light depends on the speed of
the observer while Maxwell’s EM Theory tells that the speed of light is not
constant.

4. In resolving the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell’s

electromagnetic theory, what concept of transformation was used?

A. Einstein transformation
B. Maxwell transformation
C. Lorentz transformation
D. Galilean transformation

5. Einstein theory of special relativity explains problems that involve frames of

reference moving with which of the following characteristics?

A. Constant direction
B. Constant linear acceleration
C. Constant linear speed
D. Constant linear velocity

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TRY THIS!
1. B. Theory of Special Relativity
2. B. That the Earth is the only absolute frame of reference.
3. A. Objects with speed much smaller than the speed of light.
4. A. always true
5. C. Gravity and Electromagnetism

DO THIS! Unscrambled Me!

NEWTON, EINSTEIN, MAXWELL (from left to right)

EXPLORE. Activity 1- Me Think. Me Time!

Answers may vary.
Hints:
* Newton – Newtonian Mechanics, discovery of gravity, formulation of laws of motion
* Maxwell – Maxwell’s equation, unification of electricity and magnetism with four simple equations
* Einstein – Einstein’s equation, formulation of the equation E = mc2, attempted unification of gravity
and electromagnetism.

EXPLORE. Activity 2- Let’s Compare!

Scientist Statement/s
Newton 1. Time is constant.
2. Space and time are absolute and
separate.
3. Speed of light is not constant and it
depends on the speed of the
observer.
Maxwell 1. The speed of light in free space is
always the same.
Einstein 1. Time is changeable.
2. Space and time are relative.
3. The speed of light is constant and
the same for all observers.

EXPLORE. Activity 3 - Which is which?

Answers may vary.
Hints:
*Newton believed that position and speed/velocity of an object are different when specified in different
reference frames. Thus, an observer viewing the headlight would see that the speed of light
increases.
*Maxwell believed that light is a form of electromagnetic (EM) wave. This EM wave can travel only at
one speed (the speed of light is constant).Thus, the speed of light does not depend on the speed of
the observer.

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APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
1. WOW
2. WOW
3. WEW
4. WEW
5. WOW

REINFORCEMENT
Answers may vary.
Hints:
*Traveling at the speed of light is like moving so fast like a flash of light.
*Space and Time will be affected anywhere in the universe.
*Relativity indicates that the laws of physics should apply everywhere in the universe if you are
traveling at a constant velocity (inertial reference frames).

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

1. D The laws of physics are the same for all inertial frames of reference.
2. A. The speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.
3. B. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light depends on the speed of the
observer while Maxwell’s EM Theory tells that the speed of light is constant
4. C. Lorentz transformation
5. D. Constant linear velocity

Albert Einstein Image. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/

136093219965954732/?nic_v2=1ayxkAbyc

Isaac Newton Image. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/scientist/isaac-

newton

James Clerk Maxwell Image. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/

scientist/james-c-maxwell

Theory of Special Relativity retrieved from http://www.quipperschool.com.

Caintic, Helen E. 2016. Physical Science. C & E Publishing, Inc.

Caballes, Dennis G., Rodriguez, Marissa A., Pazon, Andy Nestor Ryan. 2016.
Physical Science.JFS Publishing Services.

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