Special Relativity Calculations

This is part of the HSC Physics course under the topic Light and Special Relativity

HSC Physics Syllabus

  • investigate the evidence, from Einstein’s thought experiments and subsequent experimental validation, for time dilation `t=t_o/sqrt((1-v^2/c^2))` and length contraction `l=l_osqrt((1-v^2/c^2))`

  • describe the consequences and applications of relativistic momentum with reference to:

    – `p_v=(m_0 v)/sqrt((1-v^2/c^2 ))`

    – the limitation on the maximum velocity of a particle imposed by special relativity (ACSPH133)

  • Use Einstein’s mass–energy equivalence relationship `E=mc^2` to calculate the energy released by processes in which mass is converted to energy, for example: (ACSPH134)
    – production of energy by the sun
    – particle–antiparticle interactions, eg positron–electron annihilation
    – combustion of conventional fuel

Special Relativity Calculation Examples with Step-by-step Solutions

This video discusses common calculation problems on time dilation, length contract, relativistic momentum and energy-mass equivalence.

 

 

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