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    • 2 Mechanics >
      • 2.1 Kinematics 1D >
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        • 2.6.1 Gravitation
        • 2.6.2 Orbital Motion
        • 2.6.3 Kepler's Laws
        • 2.6.4 Gravitation and Energy
    • 3 Waves and Optics >
      • 3.1 Wave Phenomena >
        • 3.1.1 Wave Types
        • 3.1.2 Superposition
        • 3.1.3 Interference
        • 3.1.4 Inverse Square Law
        • 3.1.5 Modulation
      • 3.2 Sound >
        • 3.2.1 Beats
        • 3.2.2 Doppler
        • 3.2.3 Resonance
        • 3.2.4 Standing Waves
      • 3.3 Physical Optics >
        • 3.3.1 Light - a history
        • 3.3.2 Double Slit Diffraction
        • 3.3.3 Light - its speed
        • 3.3.4 Light as EMR
        • 3.3.5 Polarisation
        • 3.3.6 Spectroscopy
        • 3.3.7 Scattering
      • 3.4 Geometric Optics >
        • 3.4.1 Reflection
        • 3.4.2 Refraction
        • 3.4.3 Lenses and Images
        • 3.4.4 Dispersion
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      • 4.1 Heat and Temperature
      • 4.2 Specific Heat Capacity
      • 4.3 Latent Heat
      • 4.4 Blackbody Radiation
    • 5 Electricity and Magnetism >
      • 5.1 Electrostatics >
        • 5.1.1 Charge
        • 5.1.2 Coulomb's Law
        • 5.1.3 Electric Field
        • 5.1.4 Voltage
      • 5.2 Circuits >
        • 5.2.1 Ohm's Law
        • 5.2.2 Series and Parallel Circuits
        • 5.2.3 Electrical Power
      • 5.3 Electromagnetism >
        • 5.3.1 Moving Charges in Electric Fields
        • 5.3.2 Ampere's Law
        • 5.3.3 Charge in Magnetic Fields
        • 5.3.4 Motor Effect
        • 5.3.5 DC Motor
      • 5.4 Electromagnetic Induction >
        • 5.4.1 Magnetic Flux
        • 5.4.2 Faraday's Law
        • 5.4.3 Lenz' Law
        • 5.4.4 Back EMF
        • 5.4.5 Generators
        • 5.4.6 Transformers
        • 5.4.7 Induction Motors
    • 6 Modern Physics >
      • 6.1 Relativity >
        • 6.1.1 Michelson Morley Experiment
        • 6.1.2 Special Relativity
        • 6.1.3 Special Relativity Evidence
      • 6.2 Atomic Physics >
        • 6.2.1 JJ Thomson and the electron
        • 6.2.2 Millikan
        • 6.2.3 Rutherford
        • 6.2.4 Chadwick
      • 6.3 Radioactivity >
        • 6.3.1 What is Radioactivity
        • 6.3.2 Half Life
        • 6.3.3 Binding Energy
        • 6.3.4 Strong Nuclear Force
        • 6.3.5 Fission
        • 6.3.6 Fusion
      • 6.4 Quantum Physics >
        • 6.4.1 Planck and the Blackbody
        • 6.4.2 Photoelectric Effect
        • 6.4.3 Bohr Model
        • 6.4.4 de Broglie and Matter Waves
        • 6.4.5 Compton Effect
        • 6.4.6 Schrödinger Equation
        • 6.4.7 Heisenberg
        • 6.4.8 Lasers
      • 6.4 Particle Physics
      • 6.5 Solid State Physics
    • 7 Astrophysics >
      • 7.1 Olber's Paradox
      • 7.2 Stellar Spectroscopy
      • 7.3 Determining Stellar Distances
      • 7.4 Star Magnitude
      • 7.5 Star Temperature
      • 7..6 HR Diagram
    • 8 Medical Physics >
      • 8.1 Ultrasound
      • 8.2 X-ray
      • 8.3 PET scans
      • 8.4 MRI
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Relativity

PREVIOUS LESSON                                                                                                                               NEXT LESSON

Prior to 1905 the concept of relativity was the term where we simply discussed ones experiences from your own frame of reference. The car you see stationary beside you is actually moving relative to the ground, only because you are also moving with that car. 
(This is discussed here)
But then in 1905 Albert Einstein developed his special Theory of Relativity. Because of the constancy of the speed of light he determined that the relativity understanding that was known at the time had flaws. Resolving this he determined that, rather than being absolute,  time,  momentum and length became relative.
The following lessons explores the development of Einstein's special theory of relativity
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1. Michelson and Morley

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the maths
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Although Einstein himself did not consider the results of Michelson and Morley's experiment as necessary for his development of Theory of Relativity, the experiment is nonetheless important that indirectly supported both Maxwell's theories and the postulates that underpin Einstein's. 

This video discusses the concepts qualitatively. If you want to see the mathematical analysis underpinning Michelson and Morley's work, check out the video.

the maths
 

2. Frames of reference Explained

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resources
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Prior to understanding Einsteins theory of relativity you we need to understand what frames of reference are. We also need to be able to distinguish between initial and non-initial frames of reference.
​This video examines the principles
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Coming soon
 

3. An intro to relativity from history

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resources
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Einstein's theory of relativity, although brilliant, did not come from a vacuum. How ideas are built on the foundations of others, especially James ClerkMaxwell. In fact Einstein had a picture of Maxwell in his office.
This video discusses some of the key points leading up to Einsteins paper on special relativity, including his thought experiments.


resources
 

​4. The consequences of relativity...Time Dilation, and the evidence

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worked solution
going deeper
problems
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What is time dilation? It is a direct consequence of Einstein's postulates and is explained here. I also discuss two key experiments that validate it.
When you think of time dilation in the context of Special Relativity, it's often taught as if you see things in slow motion. But that's wrong! This video covers why it is wrong as what you would see if an object was moving at relativistic speeds.
worked solution
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going deeper
problems
 

5. The consequences of relativity...momentum dilation, and the evidence

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worked solution
going deeper
resources
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coming soon, but check my worked solution
worked solution
Picture
going deeper
resources
 

​6. The consequences of relativity...length contraction

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worked solution
going deeper
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coming soon,
worked solution
going deeper
 

7. The consequences of relativity...What is simultaneity?

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worked solution
going deeper
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Using an exam question, I explain the concept of simultaneity.

worked solution
going deeper
 

8. An intro to General theory of relativity

 

9. How Well Do You Know Relativity?

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more questions
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Relativity Quiz
Try the above quiz and then check your understanding with the video
more questions
 

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  • Home
  • Lessons
    • 1 Foundations >
      • 1.1 Dimensions and units
      • 1.2 Mathematic skills
      • 1.3 Graphing
      • 1.4 Vectors
      • 1.5 Vectors in 3D
    • 2 Mechanics >
      • 2.1 Kinematics 1D >
        • 2.1.1 Kinematics Intro
        • 2.1.2 Acceleration
        • 2.1.3 Graphing Motion
        • 2.1.4 Equations of Motion
      • 2.2 Kinematics 2D >
        • 2.2.1 Relative Motion
        • 2.2.2 Projectile Motion
      • 2.3 Forces >
        • 2.3.1 Newton's Laws
        • 2.3.2 forces in equilibrium
        • 2.3.3 Normal
        • 2.3.4 Friction
        • 2.3.5 Forces and Pulleys
      • 2.4 Momentum and Energy >
        • 2.4.1 Momentum
        • 2.4.2 Energy
      • 2.5 Rotational Mechanics >
        • 2.5.1 Circular Motion
        • 2.5.2 Angular Velocity
        • 2.5.3 Circular applications
        • 2.5.4 Moment of Inertia
        • 2.5.5 Torque
      • 2.6 Gravity >
        • 2.6.1 Gravitation
        • 2.6.2 Orbital Motion
        • 2.6.3 Kepler's Laws
        • 2.6.4 Gravitation and Energy
    • 3 Waves and Optics >
      • 3.1 Wave Phenomena >
        • 3.1.1 Wave Types
        • 3.1.2 Superposition
        • 3.1.3 Interference
        • 3.1.4 Inverse Square Law
        • 3.1.5 Modulation
      • 3.2 Sound >
        • 3.2.1 Beats
        • 3.2.2 Doppler
        • 3.2.3 Resonance
        • 3.2.4 Standing Waves
      • 3.3 Physical Optics >
        • 3.3.1 Light - a history
        • 3.3.2 Double Slit Diffraction
        • 3.3.3 Light - its speed
        • 3.3.4 Light as EMR
        • 3.3.5 Polarisation
        • 3.3.6 Spectroscopy
        • 3.3.7 Scattering
      • 3.4 Geometric Optics >
        • 3.4.1 Reflection
        • 3.4.2 Refraction
        • 3.4.3 Lenses and Images
        • 3.4.4 Dispersion
    • 4 Thermodynamics >
      • 4.1 Heat and Temperature
      • 4.2 Specific Heat Capacity
      • 4.3 Latent Heat
      • 4.4 Blackbody Radiation
    • 5 Electricity and Magnetism >
      • 5.1 Electrostatics >
        • 5.1.1 Charge
        • 5.1.2 Coulomb's Law
        • 5.1.3 Electric Field
        • 5.1.4 Voltage
      • 5.2 Circuits >
        • 5.2.1 Ohm's Law
        • 5.2.2 Series and Parallel Circuits
        • 5.2.3 Electrical Power
      • 5.3 Electromagnetism >
        • 5.3.1 Moving Charges in Electric Fields
        • 5.3.2 Ampere's Law
        • 5.3.3 Charge in Magnetic Fields
        • 5.3.4 Motor Effect
        • 5.3.5 DC Motor
      • 5.4 Electromagnetic Induction >
        • 5.4.1 Magnetic Flux
        • 5.4.2 Faraday's Law
        • 5.4.3 Lenz' Law
        • 5.4.4 Back EMF
        • 5.4.5 Generators
        • 5.4.6 Transformers
        • 5.4.7 Induction Motors
    • 6 Modern Physics >
      • 6.1 Relativity >
        • 6.1.1 Michelson Morley Experiment
        • 6.1.2 Special Relativity
        • 6.1.3 Special Relativity Evidence
      • 6.2 Atomic Physics >
        • 6.2.1 JJ Thomson and the electron
        • 6.2.2 Millikan
        • 6.2.3 Rutherford
        • 6.2.4 Chadwick
      • 6.3 Radioactivity >
        • 6.3.1 What is Radioactivity
        • 6.3.2 Half Life
        • 6.3.3 Binding Energy
        • 6.3.4 Strong Nuclear Force
        • 6.3.5 Fission
        • 6.3.6 Fusion
      • 6.4 Quantum Physics >
        • 6.4.1 Planck and the Blackbody
        • 6.4.2 Photoelectric Effect
        • 6.4.3 Bohr Model
        • 6.4.4 de Broglie and Matter Waves
        • 6.4.5 Compton Effect
        • 6.4.6 Schrödinger Equation
        • 6.4.7 Heisenberg
        • 6.4.8 Lasers
      • 6.4 Particle Physics
      • 6.5 Solid State Physics
    • 7 Astrophysics >
      • 7.1 Olber's Paradox
      • 7.2 Stellar Spectroscopy
      • 7.3 Determining Stellar Distances
      • 7.4 Star Magnitude
      • 7.5 Star Temperature
      • 7..6 HR Diagram
    • 8 Medical Physics >
      • 8.1 Ultrasound
      • 8.2 X-ray
      • 8.3 PET scans
      • 8.4 MRI
  • curriculum specific
    • NSW >
      • NSW curriculum >
        • Year 11
        • Year 12
      • HSC question per Module
      • HSC Exam review >
        • Downloads/notes
    • QLD curriculum
    • IB curriculum
    • SAT curriculum
    • AP Physics 1&2 curriculum
  • Resources
    • Review videos
    • Shorts
    • Formula Sheet
    • tools >
      • Calculator
      • Oscilloscope
    • data sheet
    • for students >
      • recommended physics sites
      • Review and Tips
    • for teachers
    • Blogs >
      • Podcasts
      • PhysicsHigh blog
    • About >
      • Who am I
      • FAQ
      • Fun
      • Contact