% vim: tw=50 % 03/03/2022 10AM \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/927e3e50c58e11ec.png} \end{center} Light rays travel at $\frac{\pi}{4}$ angle with respect to the axes. We'll see later that particles can't travel with $v > c$. (i.e. particle worldlines are steeper than $\frac{\pi}{4}$). We could also draw the axes of $S'$, moving with velocity $\bf{v} = (v, 0, 0)$ with respect to $S$. The $t'$ axis sits at $x' = 0$ or $x = vt$. The $x'$ axis sits at $t' = 0$ so, from the Lorentz transformation, $ct = \frac{vx}{c}$. \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/b5a1c67cc58e11ec.png} \end{center} Axes are symmetrical about the light ray diagonal, reflecting that the speed of light is also $c$ in $S'$. \subsection{Relativistic Physics} Speeding train \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/250ab03cc58f11ec.png} \end{center} Observer on train sees light hit front and back simultaneously. Station master on ground: sees light rays going forward and back at same speed $c$, but while the light is travelling, the train moves, so the station master sees the light hit the back of the train first. \subsubsection*{Simultaneity} An observer in $S$ decides that events $P_1$ and $P_2$ occur simultaneously if $t_1 = t_2$ \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/42ed729cc58f11ec.png} \end{center} But in $S'$, simultaneous events occur with equal $t'$, or $t - \frac{vx}{c^2} = \text{constant}$ \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/7aeb183ec58f11ec.png} \end{center} $\cdots = \text{lines of simultaneity in $S'$}$. $P_1$ and $P_2$ occur at \emph{different} $t'$ (as measured in $S'$). \subsubsection*{Causality} Question: If observers disagree on temporal ordering of events, where does that leave the idea of cause and effect? Thankfully, this still holds: there are only some events which observers disagree about. \myskip Because Lorentz boosts are only possible for $v < c$, the lines of simultaneity are at an angle $< \frac{\pi}{4}$. \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/eb48da76c58f11ec.png} \end{center} All observers agree that $Q$ occurred after $P$. But they can disagree on the temporal ordering of $P$ and $R$. If nothing travels faster than $c$, then $P$ can only be influenced by events in its past light cone (the reflection of the future light cone about $P$). \subsubsection*{Time Dilation} A clock sitting in $S'$ ticks at intervals $T'$, for example tick 1 occurs at coordinates $(ct', x') = (ct_1', 0)$, tick 2 occurs at coordinates $(ct', x') = (c(t_1' + T'), 0)$ etc. \myskip Question: What are the intervals between the ticks in $S$? \\ Clock sits at $x' = 0$. Lorentz transformations implies that $\gamma = \left( t' + \frac{vx'}{c^2} \right) \implies T = \gamma T'$. Since $\gamma > 1$, time runs slower in $S$. \subsubsection*{Twin Paradox} Two twins: Luke \& Leia. \begin{itemize} \item Leia stays at home \item Luke heads to a planet $P$ \item When he arrives at $P$, he turns around and comes back at the same speed. \end{itemize} Leia's perspective: \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/232c7578c59111ec.png} \end{center} When Luke returns, Leia has aged $2T$. Luke has aged $\frac{2T}{\gamma}$, i.e. he's younger than Leia. \myskip Question: can't we use the same argument from Luke's perspective to say that Leia is younger than him? Why aren't things symmetric? Resolution is that Luke's not in an inertial frame at $P$ - spoils symmetry. \\ When Luke arrives at $P$, he thinks Leia is at simultaneous event $X$. \begin{center} \includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth] {images/396e85f6c59111ec.png} \end{center} Point $P$ is $(ct, x) = (cT, vT)$. Time Luke thinks it takes to make journey is \[ T' = \gamma \left( T - \frac{v^2}{c^2}T \right) = \frac{T}{\gamma} .\] Point $X$ occurs at $x = 0$ and $t' = T' = \frac{1}{\gamma}$, since it's simultaneous from Luke's perspective, with his arrival at $P$. So \[ t' = \gamma \left( t - \frac{v^2x}{c^2} \right) \implies t = \frac{T'}{\gamma} = \frac{T}{\gamma^2} .\] Leia's age from Luke's perspective when he arrives at $P$ is $t$, i.e. Luke thinks Leia is younger than him by a factor $\frac{1}{\gamma}$ $\to$ so far, it's symmetric.