Proving Velocity Vector Magnitude Equals c

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the 3-velocity of a particle, represented by V, in terms of the speed of light, c. Equations 2, 3, and 4 are provided as possible solutions, but the initial attempt at using these equations in equation 1 did not yield the correct answer. More information is needed to solve the problem accurately.
  • #1
Pual Black
92
1

Homework Statement


show that ## V\prime=\sqrt{ V_{x}^\prime{ ^2} + V_{y}^\prime{ ^2} + V_{z}^\prime{ ^2}} = c## -------------1

Homework Equations


##V_{x}^\prime{ ^2}=\frac{V_x - V }{1-{\frac{V V_x}{c^2}}}## -----------------2

##V_{y}^\prime{ ^2}=\frac{V_y \sqrt{1-{\frac{V^2}{c^2}}}}{1-{\frac{V V_x}{c^2}}}## ------------3

##V_{z}^\prime{ ^2}=\frac{V_z \sqrt{1-{\frac{V^2}{c^2}}}}{1-{\frac{V V_x}{c^2}}}## -----------4

The Attempt at a Solution



i tried to just substitute the 3 equations (2,3,4) in eq. 1 but i didnt get the right answer
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  • #2
There's not enough information. Usually there is some sort of context since, in general, the magnitude of the 3-velocity is not c.
Work through in order - starting from the full problem statement.
 
  • #3
Ok thank you for your answer. I must collect some more information and will post my results if i get some
 

FAQ: Proving Velocity Vector Magnitude Equals c

What is the equation for calculating velocity vector magnitude?

The equation for calculating velocity vector magnitude is given by: |v| = √(vx2 + vy2 + vz2) where vx, vy, and vz are the components of the velocity vector in the x, y, and z directions respectively.

Can the magnitude of a velocity vector be greater than the speed of light (c)?

No, according to the theory of relativity, the speed of light (c) is the maximum possible speed for any object in the universe. Therefore, the magnitude of a velocity vector cannot be greater than c.

How can we prove that the magnitude of a velocity vector equals the speed of light (c)?

We can prove that the magnitude of a velocity vector equals c by using the Lorentz transformation equations in the theory of special relativity. These equations describe how measurements of time and space change for an observer moving at a constant velocity with respect to another observer. By plugging in the values for velocity, we can show that the magnitude of the velocity vector equals c.

What is the significance of proving that the magnitude of a velocity vector equals c?

Proving that the magnitude of a velocity vector equals c is significant because it confirms one of the fundamental principles of the theory of relativity. It also has important implications for our understanding of space and time, and has been confirmed by numerous experiments and observations.

Can this principle be applied to any type of velocity vector?

Yes, this principle can be applied to any type of velocity vector, as long as the vector is measured in units of speed (such as meters per second). This includes velocities in different reference frames or those associated with objects moving at relativistic speeds.

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