Experiment Showing Relativistic Effects in PD Acceleration

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In summary, the conversation is about finding the name of an experiment where an electron is passed through a p.d. and accelerates, but results do not agree with Newtonian mechanics due to relativistic velocity. The experiment is possibly Bucherer, done in 1909 and is considered useful evidence for special relativity. Additional resources such as a book and online sources are also mentioned.
  • #1
RK1992
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i need the name of the experiment where you pass an electron through a p.d. and it accelerates, but as the electron's predicted acceleration (from field strength etc) would give a relativistic velocity, the results do not agree with Newtonian mechanics?

he said it's useful evidence, in a fairly simple experiment, for special relativity but i can't find the name of it :(

thanks
 
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  • #3
RK1992 said:
he said it's useful evidence

Who said? :smile:

Practically every high-energy particle accelerator built since World War II fits this description. Their designs assume that the particles follow relativistic dynamics and not Newtonian dynamics. They wouldn't work if the particles followed Newtonian dynamics.
 
  • #4
jtbell said:
RK1992 said:
he said it's useful evidence

Who said? :smile:

Practically every high-energy particle accelerator built since World War II fits this description. Their designs assume that the particles follow relativistic dynamics and not Newtonian dynamics. They wouldn't work if the particles followed Newtonian dynamics.
If it's Bucherer he was thinking of, then it has some historical importance because it was done in 1909, so it predated not just particle accelerators and WW II but WW I as well.
 
  • #5
jtbell said:
Who said? :smile:

Practically every high-energy particle accelerator built since World War II fits this description. Their designs assume that the particles follow relativistic dynamics and not Newtonian dynamics. They wouldn't work if the particles followed Newtonian dynamics.

Oops, I meant to say my physics teacher did. And that's very true, but I think he was talking about that specific one mentioned as I'm doing a project on relativity (I'm in UK 6th form - age 17 - so not yet at degree level - this is considered supplementary to my a level studies) and I need to discuss evidence that suggested it such as Michaelson-Morley and outline the theory etc.

bcrowell said:
Possibly this is Bucherer, Ann. Physik, 28 (1909) 513.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/andp.19093330305/abstract;jsessionid=B5A68D70C001D420C322024E91E402C9.d01t01

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Bucherer#Relativistic_mass

It's described in this English-language book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0023993405/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Looks useful thank you :D And I'll look into buying the book.

bcrowell said:
If it's Bucherer he was thinking of, then it has some historical importance because it was done in 1909, so it predated not just particle accelerators and WW II but WW I as well.

Yeah that's the sort of thing I needed, thank you :)
 

FAQ: Experiment Showing Relativistic Effects in PD Acceleration

What is the purpose of the experiment showing relativistic effects in PD acceleration?

The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the effects of relativity on the acceleration of particles, specifically in the context of particle detectors (PDs). This allows scientists to better understand and model the behavior of particles at high speeds, which is important for various fields of physics such as astrophysics and particle physics.

How is the experiment conducted?

The experiment involves accelerating particles, typically protons or electrons, to high speeds using a particle accelerator. These accelerated particles are then directed towards a PD, which measures their energies and tracks their trajectories. By analyzing the data collected by the PD, scientists can observe the relativistic effects on the particles' acceleration.

What are some examples of relativistic effects observed in this experiment?

One of the most well-known effects is time dilation, where time appears to slow down for objects moving at high speeds. This can be observed in the data collected by the PD, as the particles appear to have longer lifetimes than expected when traveling at high speeds. Another effect is length contraction, where objects appear shorter in the direction of their motion. This can be seen in the trajectories of the particles as they appear to be compressed along their direction of travel.

How do these relativistic effects impact our understanding of the universe?

By studying these effects in the context of particle acceleration, scientists are able to gain a better understanding of how the laws of physics operate at high speeds. This has implications for our understanding of the universe, as many phenomena in astrophysics and cosmology involve particles moving at relativistic speeds. By accurately modeling these effects, we can better understand and explain the behavior of these objects.

Are there any practical applications for this experiment?

While the experiment itself may not have direct practical applications, the knowledge gained from it can have numerous practical applications. For example, understanding the behavior of particles at high speeds can help in the development of more efficient and powerful particle accelerators, as well as in the design of spacecraft and other technology that operate at high velocities. Additionally, the principles of relativity have also been applied in the development of technologies such as GPS systems and medical imaging devices.

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