c h26– special relativity（c端–狭义相对论）.docVIP

CH 26 – Special Relativity Special relativity is a theory that describes the properties of matter at speeds near the speed of light. It was developed by Albert Einstein and published in 1905. At speeds small compared with the speed of light ordinary Newtonian mechanics is extremely accurate in describing motion, but it fails at very high speeds. Special relatively is valid for all speeds. Frames of Reference When making physical observations, the frame of reference of the observer is important. A basic assumption, called the principle of Galilean relativity, is that the laws of mechanics are the same in all frames of reference that are moving with respect to one another at a constant velocity. A frame of reference in which Newton’s laws are valid is called an inertial system. All frames of reference moving at constant velocity with respect to an inertial system are also inertial systems. As an example, consider two coordinate systems that are moving at constant velocity with respect to each other. If system A is an inertial system, then to an observer at rest in A, an object at rest which experiences no net force will forever remain at rest (Newton’s first law). To an observer in B the object would be moving at constant velocity. It would also experience no net force and would forever remain in its state of constant motion (again, Newton’s first law). But then let’s consider a third coordinate system, C, which is accelerating with respect to coordinate systems A and B. An observer at rest in coordinate system C would see the object accelerating (in a direction opposite to the direction of acceleration of C with respect to A and B). Thus, Newton’s first law would not appear to apply. In Galilean relativity, velocities transform by simple vector addition. For example, suppose a man standing in a train car throws a ball with a speed of 30 m/s as measured in the train. If the train is moving in the direction of the ball’s motion with a speed