Lorentz Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. Z

    Lorentz Velocity Transformations Question

    Homework Statement An electron and a positron are observed from the lab to move in opposite directions with a speed of 0.5c and 0.7c, respectively. Find the speed of the positron when observed in the electron's rest frame. Homework Equations in attached PDF The Attempt at a...
  2. X

    Lorentz contraction and gravitational field

    Here's a scenario: A rod shaped object 1m in diameter and 300m in length is moving through space at a velocity of .999994444429013c (picked that velocity arbitrarily for the 300:1 length contraction). The Lorentz factor is 300 for this problem. So the equation to figure length contraction is...
  3. G

    Lorentz transformations in non-inertial frames

    Are Lorentz transformations only work between inertial frames? if so, is there a simple counter-example e.g. for them not to work?
  4. shounakbhatta

    Lorentz transformation and Pythagoras' theorem

    Hello, I was just going through some writings on the web reg.Lorentz transformation. Even considering the derivative factor,d, is anyway Lorentz transformation is some way, linked with Pythagoras' theorem? Correct me if I am wrong? -- Shounak
  5. C

    Confused on how to set up my S and S' frames for Lorentz Transformation

    1. The question states: "Two lights are placed along the x-axis at positions x1 = 3.00 m and x2 = 5.00 m. The lights flash at times t1 = 1.00 ns and t2 = 9.00 ns. An observer in a rest frame moving to the right sees the lights flash in the same location. Assume that the origins of the two rest...
  6. D

    Lorentz factor = 10^6, solving for Beta

    Homework Statement A particle moves such that its relativistic factor γ equals one million. Find β (=v/c). Give answer in the form β = 0.999..., with correct number of nines before first non-nine digit. Do not use a calculator Homework Equations (1-β^2)^(-1/2) = 10^6 The Attempt at...
  7. S

    Lorentz transformation Problem, Confused on setting it up

    So this is my first course in upper level physics, and I'm still trying to figure out special relativity. The problem: Two events occur at the same place in a certain inertial frame and are separated by a time interval of 4sec. What is the spatial separation between these two events in an...
  8. estro

    Special Theory of Relativity and Lorentz T. question

    Homework Statement Particle mu was created in the atmosphere and traveled 2km relative to Earth with a speed of 0.8c. Particle e was created in the same time and traveled parallel to mu with the speed of 0.6c. How much distance mu traveled relative to e? Homework Equations Lorentz...
  9. C

    Representations of the Lorentz group

    Can anyone recommend some litterature on representations of the Lorentz group. I'm reading about the dirac equation and there the spinor representation is used, but I would very much like to get a deeper understanding on what is going on.
  10. ElijahRockers

    Lorentz transformations - relative speeds of frames

    Homework Statement Suzanne observes 2 light pulses to be emitted from the same location, but separated in time by 3μs. Mark sees the emission of the same two pulses separated in time by by 9μs. a) How fast is Mark moving relative to Suzanne? b) According to Mark, what is the separation in...
  11. ElijahRockers

    Lorentz transformations question

    Homework Statement The pion has an average lifetime of 26.0ns when at rest. For it to travel 10.0m, how fast must it move? Homework Equations Lorentz velocity transformation? The Attempt at a Solution I'm very lost... am I supposed to use u'x = (ux-v)/(1-vux/c2)? I thought I was following...
  12. BWV

    Confused about Lorentz Transformations

    I thought Lorentz Transformations left Δt2-Δx2 invariant but, for example a frame moving at .5C for Δt =1 has Δx = .5 so Δt2-Δx2 = .75 If this is transformed by : to a rest frame Δt =0.65 has Δx = 0 and Δt2-Δx2≠ 0.75 not sure where I have gone wrong here, any help would be...
  13. L

    Lorentz invariance of four-volume element [itex] d^4x [/itex]

    I am slightly confused with the invariance of four-volume element. The orthodox way to show it is to prove that Jacobian is one, that I did, however in many textbooks I find a reasoning that because we have Lorentz contraction on one hand and time dilation on the other hand, the product is...
  14. L

    Lorentz invariance of [itex] E_p \delta ({\bf p}- {\bf q}) [/itex]

    Can anybody help me with the proof that E_p \delta ({\bf p}- {\bf q}) is a Lorentz invariant object? I did a boost along z axes and used the formula \delta (f(x)) = \frac{\delta(x-x_0)}{|f'(x_0)|} and the factor in front of the delta function indeed is invariant but within the function I...
  15. L

    Derivation of Faraday's Law from the Lorentz Force Law

    Someone asked me how Faraday's Law of Induction and Ampere's Force Law, both which form part of Maxwell's Equations, are related. Ampere's Force Law is derived from the Lorentz Force Law. They are entirely compatible with Faraday's Law of Induction. Here's how...The Lorentz Force Law states...
  16. M

    London theory, Landau theory and Lorentz Einstein law

    London theory, Landau theory... and Lorentz Einstein law I am trying to learn all I can about superconductivity and discovered an interesting document in Internet. Does the Lorentz Einstein law hold true for the supercurrent : 1) of the London approach? js = ... ∂θ/∂r - A where θ is the...
  17. L

    Form of Lorentz Transformation Using West-Coast Metric

    This is a fairly trivial question I think. I'm only asking it here because after some googling I was unable to find its answer. I was at one point led to believe that the form of the Lorentz-transformation matrix is dependent on the convention used for the Minkowski metric. Specifically it...
  18. P

    Hypothetical implication of Lorentz contraction

    Would it be possible for a truck, measuring 5ft tall when stationary, to pass under a 4ft barrier by accelerating towards the speed of light? If so what would a spectator see if standing next to the barrier, would the spectator see the truck shrink? What would you see of the barrier from the...
  19. A

    Lorentz velocity transformation problem

    An observer on Earth observes two spacecraft moving in the same direction toward the Earth. Spacecraft A appears to have a speed of 0.50c, and spacecraft B appears to have a speed of 0.80c. What is the speed of spacecraft A measured by an observer in spacecraft B?So if S is the reference...
  20. P

    What is Lorentz transformation?

    Iv been reading about general and special relativity and then I came across Lorentz transformation but I can't seem to find out what it is could you please help
  21. ShayanJ

    Lorentz covariance and Noether's theorem

    Not sure its in the right place or not.If its not,sorry. The relativity postulate of special relativity says that all physical equations should remain invariant under lorentz transformations And that includes Lagrangian too. So it seems we have a symmetry(which is continuous),So by Noether's...
  22. L

    How did Lorentz come up with his ether theory?

    I'm quite confused on this. According to Lorentz's ether theory, he used the immobile stationary ether as an absolute frame of reference. In that case, why would the Lorentz transforms be required, since there are no relative reference frames?
  23. D

    Understanding the Lorentz Group: What does O(1,3) mean?

    I am totally confused about the Lorentz Group at the moment. According to wikipedia, the Lorentz group can be defined as the General Orthogonal Lie Group##O(1,3)##. However, the definition of the GO Lie Group that I know only works when there is a single number inside the bracket, not 2, e.g...
  24. H

    Understanding Lorentz Transformation of Spin 4-Vector

    I have a problem understanding the Lorentz transformation of the spin. The spin 4-vector is defined in the rest frame of the particle as s^{\mu} = (0, \vec{s}) and then boosted in any other frame according to s'^{\mu} = (\gamma \vec{\beta} \cdot \vec{s}, \vec{s} +...
  25. Vorde

    Understanding the Lorentz Factor

    Is it fair to call the lorentz factor the derivative of measured time relative to proper time? I've seen the lorentz factor equated twice now to \frac{dt}{d\tau} and I wanted to know whether that was a legitimate way to look at it. Thank you
  26. M

    Lorentz force? & Magnetic fields

    Greetings everyone(New guy here!). I wanted to know something about "Lorentz force". A magnetic force causes a loop carrying current to rotate and torque is created due to those forces. Are magnetic fields doing work in this cause? Based upon this law: F = q(E + v + B) F = I x...
  27. H

    What is the Lorentz invariance of power?

    Power, defined as P = dE/dt is Lorentz invariant according to http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/em/lectures/node130.html, Eq. 1645 But, considering another equation for the power, P = q E v, where E and v are electric field and velocity vectors, respectively; this is obviously not the...
  28. R

    Hyperbolic relations in deriving Lorentz transformations

    Preface to my question: I can assure you this is not a homework question of any kind. I simply have a pedagogical fascination with physics outside of my own studies in school. Also, I did a quick search through the forum and could not find a question similar enough to what I want to know, so i...
  29. M

    The Lorentz transformation matrix properties

    Hello, As known, any Lorentz transformation matrix \Lambda must obey the relation \Lambda^\mu~_\nu\Lambda^\rho~_\sigma g_{\mu \rho}=g_{\nu \sigma}. The same holds also for the inverse metric tensor g^{\nu \sigma} which has the same components as the metric tensor itself (don't really...
  30. N

    The Proper Time in Lorentz Space: Is it Infinite for the Resting Twin?

    We know, when m=0, the schwarzschild space time becomes lorentz space time. Then, the proper time taken by one twin (A) to travel around the massive body in lorentz space while the other twin at rest can not be defined or it will be infinite. Is that true?
  31. PolywellGuy

    Why the magnetic moment not included in the Lorentz Force equation.

    A charged particle - like an electron - has a magnetic moment. This moment changes depending on where the electron is. If you apply a magnetic field to an object with a magnetic moment, it experiences a torque. It turns. This turning motion is not included in the overall motion of the...
  32. P

    Lorentz invariant theory, irreducible representations

    "In a Lorentz invariant theory in d dimensions a state forms an irreducible representation under the subgroups of SO(1,d-1) that leaves its momentum invariant." I want to understand that statement. I don't see how I should interpret a state as representation of a group. I have learned that...
  33. T

    Conceptual question about Lorentz transformations

    I am a newcomer to relativity, currently studying the subject on my own, via Modern Physics by Bernstein et al. I have a question based on pgs 57-58 of the text. Suppose that two reference frames S and S' are similarly oriented, and S' is moving with constant velocity v in the positive...
  34. E

    Lorentz invariance of chirality

    Hi folks, I've been reading into the concepts of chirality & helicity and often I find a statement that chirality is Lorentz invariant in contrast to helicity (which of course depends on the frame). BUT I don't see in which way chirality IS Lorentz invariant. For massless particles things...
  35. S

    How to get time dilation & length contraction from Lorentz transform?

    OK, I've found a great explanation of the derivation of the Lorentz transformation, with x' = γ [ x - v t ] t' = γ [ t - ( v / c2 ) x ] so if I take the other term as 0, there is x'( t = 0 ) = γ x t'( x = 0 ) = γ t but the problem is that the time dilation & length...
  36. S

    Summer school on Lorentz violating standard model extensions

    IUCSS Summer School on the Lorentz- and CPT-violating Standard Model Extension (SME) This program is going on now, at Indiana University. The title pretty much covers what the school is about. The SME simply takes the ordinary standard model and adds terms to the Lagrangian which violate...
  37. J

    Lorentz Force: Question on generators and storeage

    Hello all, and thank you in advance for taking the time to read my question. To give an idea of my working level, I'm a 21 year old computer science student entering my senior year at college. It's been a few years since my Electricity/Magnetism course, and I'm a bit rusty on the Lorentz Force...
  38. D

    Understanding Space Homogeneity & Lorentz Transformations

    I often read sentences like, "if space is homogeneous, then the Lorentz transformation must be a linear transformation." What exactly does it mean to say that space is homogeneous, and how does it imply that the Lorentz transformations are linear?
  39. J

    Instantaneous rest-frame no Lorentz force

    Is it valid to analyse the equation of motion of an electron in its instantaneous rest-frame in which it feels a force from the electric field only with no magnetic Lorentz force component?
  40. G

    Lorentz transform of a scalar in QM

    If you Lorentz transform a scalar: U^{-1}(\Lambda)\phi(x)U(\Lambda)=\phi(\Lambda^{-1}x) If you now perform another Lorentz transform, would it it look like this: U^{-1}(\Lambda')U^{-1}(\Lambda)\phi(x)U(\Lambda)U(\Lambda')=\phi(\Lambda'^{-1}\Lambda^{-1}x) ? But isn't this wrong...
  41. B

    Is My Lorentz Transformation Calculation Correct?

    Problem in Lorentz transformation(Urgent!) 1. Homework Statement Please see the attached file and advise me my solution is right or not! Thanks! 2. Homework Equations ~ d/t = v ~ Lorentz transformation : x'=(x-Vt)/(√(1-(V^2)/c^2), t' = [t-(V^2)/(c^2)]/√1-(V^2)/c^2), 3. The...
  42. B

    Problem in Lorentz transformation

    Homework Statement Please see the attached file and advise me my solution is right or not! Thanks! Homework Equations ~ d/t = v ~ Lorentz transformation : x'=(x-Vt)/(√(1-(V^2)/c^2), t' = [t-(V^2)/(c^2)]/√1-(V^2)/c^2), The Attempt at a Solution a) According to Cheryl, d/t =v...
  43. B

    Are Lorentz Transformations Empirical Laws?

    Homework Statement Are the Lorentz transformations empirical laws? If so, are they empirically testable? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I'm guessing they are. But how do you test the LT?
  44. E

    Is the Charge Q Lorentz Invariant in Quantum Field Theory?

    Hi all, I'm studying quantum field theory and I'm watching video lectures on Harward University website (Professor Colemann's lectures). Now, in lesson number six at 1h-6 minute a student asks why after trasforming field by a Lorentz transformation he doesn't transform also integration...
  45. T

    Lorentz Force: Coupling w/Maxwell's Eqs

    Essentially I'm wondering about coupling with Maxwell's equations. It seems that, for application of the Lorentz force equation to make sense, the E and B fields used should not include the E and B fields generated by the charge in question, since a charge won't exert force on itself. However...
  46. M

    Concerning the 1920 Einstein Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation

    I have been reading Lieber's book "The Einstein Theory of Relativity" which describes the derivation of the Lorentz Transformations: archive.org/details/einsteintheoryof032414mbp -- see pages 39-56 bartleby.com/173/a1.html The entire derivation makes no sense, whatsoever. Why is it...
  47. G

    Understanding Complex Group Parameters for SO(4) Lorentz Algebra

    When you rewrite the angular momentum generators Ji and boost generators Kj in terms of the linear combinations N±i=Ji±iKi, does this mean that your group parameters can now be complex? So for example a group element R can be written as: R(z_1,z_2)=\exp[i(z_1 N^+ +z_2 N^-)] where the z's...
  48. Z

    Question on Lorentz contraction and size of pancakes

    Question on Lorentz contraction and size of "pancakes" I have read that nucleons (protons in particular) appear to look like flattened "pancakes" hitting each other due to the lorentz contraction when crashed together at high speeds. Do any of the colliders give a hint at the "size" of the...
  49. A

    Lorentz gamma factor in a decay of arbitrary leptons

    Homework Statement Show that the Lorentz gamma factor in the decay K^+ \rightarrow l^+ \nu_l can be written as \gamma = \frac{m_K^2 + m_l^2}{2m_K m_l} where nu is either e or mu. The Attempt at a Solution I'm stuck on a part of the proof. I think I understand most of it...
  50. E

    Field transformation under Lorentz group

    Hi! In Weinberg's book "The quantum theory of fields", chapter2, it states that the transformation of a massive particle is U(\Lambda)\Psi_{p,\sigma}= N\sum\mathcal{D}^{(j)}_{\sigma',\sigma}(W)\Psi_{\Lambda p,\sigma'} where W is an element in the little-group SO(3). But than it states that...
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