Bauer's Mod-Phy 2e

Bauer/Westfall: University Physics, 2E

35.23. The Lorentz transformation for the positions relating the coordinates in the moving frame (primed
coordinates) to our reference frame (unprimed coordinates) takes the form
x ' γ ( x − vt ) ,
=
with γ and z-coordinates unchanged, and γ given by
−1/2
 v2 
γ=  1 − 2  .
 c 
Hence, the moving clock at x ' = 0 has coordinate x = vt and the clock at x ' = l has coordinate
x= vt + l / γ . The time readings are then related by the Lorentz transformation,
 vx 
t ' γ  t − 2 .
=
 c 
For the clock at x ' = 0 the reading is
 v ( vt )   v2    1    t  t
t '= γ t − 2 =  γ t − 2 t =
 γ  t −  1 − 2  t =
 γ  t − t + 2 =
 .
0
  γ  γ
 c   c    γ   
For the clock at x ' = l the reading is
 v ( vt + l / γ )   v2 vl    1  vl  t lv
t '1 =γ  t −  =γ  t − 2 t − 2  =γ  t −  1 − 2  t − 2  = − 2 .
 c 2   c γc    γ  γc  γ c
 
These results display two important effects. First, time dilation is apparent, as the advance of the t ' values
is slowed compared to the advance of t by factor 1/ γ . Second, relativity of simultaneity is also manifest, as
the readings on the moving clocks – which are synchronized in their own reference frame – differ by
lv / c 2 at fixed time t in our reference frame. The clock behind in position is “ahead” in time reading. That
is, “the same time” at different positions is a reference-frame-dependent notion. This effect is often
overlooked, but most purported relativistic kinematics are resolved unambiguously once it is take into
account.
35.24. Velocities are added using the relativistic velocity transformation. Assume that the velocities are along the
x-axis. Then the transformation equation is
u −v x−y
= u′ = c,
1 − uv / c 2 1 − xy
where x and y represent the fractions of the speed of light of the two sub-light velocities being added. Now,
since x < 1, it follows that x 2 < 1. Multiply both sides of this inequality by 1 − y 2 (which is positive since

( )
y < 1 ), to obtain x 2 1 − y 2 < 1 − y 2 . Expand, and add the negative terms to the opposite sides to get
x + y < 1 + x y . Subtract 2xy from both sides, to yield: x 2 − 2 xy + y 2 < 1 − 2 xy + x 2 y 2 . Factoring both
2 2 2 2

sides as squares gives the inequality: ( x − y ) < (1 − xy ) . Divide both sides by the right-hand side (which
2 2

( x − y ) < 1.
2

is positive since xy < 1 ) which results in the inequality Taking square roots of both sides
(1 − xy )
2

x−y
preserves the inequality (with absolute values), so < 1. It follows that the velocity added
1 − xy
x−y x−y
=
relativistically is still less than c, since u′ = c c < c.
1 − xy 1 − xy

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