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PHY 101 Relativity of Simultaneity.

The document discusses the relativity of simultaneity, emphasizing that the occurrence of two spatially separated events is dependent on the observer's frame of reference. It also covers time dilation and length contraction as implications of the special theory of relativity, stating that time and length are not absolute quantities but vary based on the observer's motion. Mathematical equations illustrate these concepts, and sample questions test understanding of the principles outlined.

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16 views2 pages

PHY 101 Relativity of Simultaneity.

The document discusses the relativity of simultaneity, emphasizing that the occurrence of two spatially separated events is dependent on the observer's frame of reference. It also covers time dilation and length contraction as implications of the special theory of relativity, stating that time and length are not absolute quantities but vary based on the observer's motion. Mathematical equations illustrate these concepts, and sample questions test understanding of the principles outlined.

Uploaded by

ajayieridipupo2008
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Relativity of Simultaneity

Relativity of Simultaneity talks about two spatially separated events occurring at the same time. It states
that two spatially separated events occurring at the same time is not absolute but depends on the observer’s
frame of reference. In other words, if two events are separated in space, it is impossible to say absolutely
that they occurred at the same time. For example, a car clash in Lagos and another in Abuja, which appear
to happen at the same time to an observer on earth will appear to have occurred at slightly different times to
an observer on an airplane moving from Lagos to Abuja. Consequently, simultaneity of the two events is
dependent on the frame of reference in the sense that for an observer on the earth (stationary frame relative
to the event), the two events may be at the same time. Whereas for someone in an air plane (reference in
motion relative to the event), one of the two events must have occurred before the other.

Relativity of Time interval (time dilation) and Length contraction


Time dilation and length contraction are some of the implications of special theory of relativity. NOTE:
special theory of relativity has two laws-
1. All laws of physics are invariant (the same) in all inertia systems (none accelerating frames of reference).
2. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers irrespective of the motion of the light source.
Time dilation gives the idea that time is not an absolute quantity but it depends on the reference frame of an
observer. Basically, time slows down for a person in an object moving with a very high speed (say rocket)
compared to its observer on earth. This implies than an observer in a moving reference frame measures time
less that which an observer in a stationary frame will measure.

Mathematically, time dilation, ∆t (Time elapsed for an observer on the earth) is given as:
∆t0 /√ (1- v2 / c2 ) ……………………Equation 1
where v is velocity of a moving object,
c is speed of light
∆t0 is the proper time (for the observer in the rocket who do not realize that the rocket is moving)
From Equation 1 above, the proper time, ∆t0 can be written as:
∆t0 = ∆t√ (1- v2 / c2 ) ...........................Equation 2

NOTE: √ (1- v2 / c2 ) is always less than 1


For length contraction, this also presents the idea that length and distance are not absolute quantities. As an
illustration, a spaceship leaves the earth and travels to a distant planet and comes back. For an observer on
earth (inertial reference frame), the time that has elapsed relative to the spaceship travelled is given as:
∆t = l0 / v ………………Equation 3
where l0 is the distance measured by the earth observer, v is the speed of the spaceship.
As stated before, an observer in the spaceship measures less time. This implies that the distance measured
by that observer is smaller.
If L = distance measured by the observer on the spaceship, then
L= v∆t0 ………………. Equation 4
This implies that L = v∆t√ (1- v2 / c2 )……. Equation 5
From Equation 3, L = l0 (1- v2 / c2 )………….. Equation 6
l0 is the proper length and it equals L / (1- v2 / c2 ) …………….. Equation 7

Sample Questions
1. Which of the following is the proper length/distance travelled by a space craft from the earth to a
distant planet and back to the earth (A) ∆l0 √( 1- v2 / c2 ) (B) ∆l0 √( 1- c2 / v2 ) (C) l √( 1- v2 / c2 ) (D)
l0 / √( 1- v2 / c2 ) (E) l √( 1- v2 / c2 )

2. The idea contained in time dilation is that (A) Time will be faster for an object that is travelling with
a very high velocity relative to its stationary counterpart (B) Time will remain constant for an object
that is travelling with low velocity relative to its stationary counterpart (C) time will slow down for
an object travelling with very low velocity (D) Time will slow down for an object travelling with a
very high velocity relative to its stationary counterpart (E) None of the above

3. According to special theory of relativity, (A) time and length are absolute quantities (B) time and
length are not absolute quantities (C) Time is an absolute quantity while length is not (D) Length
and time are the same in all frames of reference (E) D and A

4. One of the applications of special theory of relativity is (A) Length dilation (B) Time contraction
(C) conservation of linear momentum (D) Time dilation (E) fluid mechanics

5. Where all the alphabets have their usual meaning, time dilation equals (A) ∆t 0 /√(1- c2 /v2 ) (B) ∆t0
√( 1- v2 / c2 ) (C) ∆t0 /√(1- v2 / c2 ) (D) ∆t0 √(1- c2 /v2 ) (E) ∆t0 √(1 - c2 /v2 )2
6. Speed of light is (A) Invariant in all inertia frames of reference (B) absolute in some inertia frames
of reference (C) Variant in all inertia frames of reference (D) variant in all inertial frames of reference
(E) Not absolute in all inertia frames of reference.

7. Which of the following changes when the reference frame of an observer changes (A) Time only
(B) Distance only (C) Length and time with the exception of distance (D) None of the above (E)
Time, length and distance.

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