8/28/2006 Special Relativity PHY151/161

Please assign a rating to each activity. 1 = Worthless 10 = Excellent These links are available in our course module in MLC Learning (Moodle), Special Relativity Section

____ 1. Cal Tech Special Relativity Examples

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~phys1/java/phys1/Einstein/Einstein.html

First, set the velocity to near 0.85c using the slider bar at the top of the page. Why does the length of one of the green bars change?

Next, select the Flying Clocks situation by selecting in the drop-down menu below the JAVA window. Then set the speed to near 0.98c and press the Start button. How many times does the hand go around on the clock in the lower left corner as the hand on the moving clock goes around one time?

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_____ 2. Usenet Physics FAQ http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/

Scroll down until you find the section on Speed of Light. Click on the link "How is the speed of light measured." Read the article. How many significant figures are in the adopted (1983) value for the speed of light? ______

Go back to the page that has the list of links. Scroll down to the Special Relativity group of links. Click on the "What would a relativistic interstellar traveller see?" link. In one sentence, describe the aberration effect that is due to motion at a high speed.

______ 3. Special Relativity: What Time is It? http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/lectures/srelwhat.html

Light Clocks, Fitzgerald Contraction, Muons. Briefly summarize the two explanations that explain why more muons reach sea level than are expected to reach sea level based on Classical Physics.

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_____ 4. How Stuff Works http://science.howstuffworks.com/relativity2.htm

Briefly, comment on the concept of an "absolute frame of reference."

In your own words briefly explain why the Second Postulate of Special Relativity is the "first postulate in different clothes."

Next Week: Turn in this sheet and a one paragraph summary for a magazine or Internet article which is related to one of these topics: Experiments which confirm or disprove Special Relativity, An application of Special or General Relativity for the real world (e.g. an invention or product), History of the acceptance of Special Relativity, Personal background of Einstein, Cultural influence of Einstein, Time Dilation, Length Contraction, Michelson-Morley Experiment. Give the magazine reference (name, date, page) or the URL of the Internet site.