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LL2 Sec 15

1) In relativity, fields have physical reality because interactions propagate at a finite speed, so particles first affect fields and fields then affect other particles later. 2) Relativity shows that rigid bodies do not exist, as assuming rigidity leads to contradictions like a rotating disk maintaining its circumference despite Lorentz contraction. 3) Elementary particles cannot have finite dimensions but must be mathematical points described completely by position and velocity, as they cannot exhibit independent motion of parts.

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24 views12 pages

LL2 Sec 15

1) In relativity, fields have physical reality because interactions propagate at a finite speed, so particles first affect fields and fields then affect other particles later. 2) Relativity shows that rigid bodies do not exist, as assuming rigidity leads to contradictions like a rotating disk maintaining its circumference despite Lorentz contraction. 3) Elementary particles cannot have finite dimensions but must be mathematical points described completely by position and velocity, as they cannot exhibit independent motion of parts.

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osama hasan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Elementary Particles in the

theory of relativity
Section 15
The field was first conceived by Faraday to
explain action at a distance
• In classical physics, the field is a convenience
for describing interactions between particles
• In relativity, due to the finite velocity of
propagation of interactions, the field has
physical reality.
– A particle first acts on the field
– Then the field acts on other particles at later
times.
What do we mean by a “particle”?

Can if have finite dimensions?

If so, does it need to be rigid?


Rigid bodies don’t exist

In classical physics, rigid non-deformable bodies are often


assumed, but relativity shows that this is only an approximation.
Assumption of rigidity leads to absurdity

• Consider a rotating disk, and suppose it to be rigid.


• Imagine a reference frame fixed to an infinitesimal element of the disk.
• This frame can be considered inertial during a moment.
• Different elements have different inertial frames in the given moment.
Consider line elements along a radius of the rotating disk

– The elements are perpendicular to their velocity


– No Lorentz contraction
• The total radius of the disk is the same as when it was at rest.

v
Now consider line elements a long the circumference of the disk

• The assumption of rigidity means that the proper length of each element
is the same as would be observed by a viewer at rest.
• However, an observer at rest sees that the length of each element is
contracted.

v
• The circumference of the rotating disk is smaller than that of the disk at
rest.
• Thus, due to rotation circumference/radius does not equal 2p.
• This cannot be, unless the moving disk is no longer a disk, i.e. it must have
deformed.
Apply an external force to one spot on an extended body.

• Speed of propagation of interactions is finite.


• Fext is not applied to all points simultaneously.
• Body must deform as it accelerates.

Fext
Elementary particles are described completely by position r and velocity v.

• No independent motion of parts.


• Elementary particles cannot have finite dimensions.
• They are mathematical points.
In its own reference frame, an object is a flat disk. An observer at rest
observes it spin around its symmetry axis. What possible shape might the
observer see it deformed into?

• A bowl.
• A flat oval.
• A ruffled circle.
In its own reference frame, an object is a flat disk. An observer at rest
observes it spin around its symmetry axis. What possible shape might the
observer see it deformed into?

• A bowl.
• A flat oval.
• A ruffled circle.

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