Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use
In addition to the revision notes for Lorentz Transformations on this page, you can also access the following Relativity learning resources for Lorentz Transformations
| Tutorial ID | Title | Tutorial | Video Tutorial | Revision Notes | Revision Questions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.5 | Lorentz Transformations |
In these revision notes for Lorentz Transformations, we cover the following key points:
The Lorentz Transformation of spacetime coordinates are relativistic equations that consider the fact that length and duration of a given event are not equal in different systems of reference. The equations derived from Lorentz transformations when the event occurs according a single direction (X or X') are:
For V << c, the Lorentz transformations point towards Galilean transformations. This is because V is assumed as very close to zero. Giving that the Galilean transformations represent a limit of Lorentz transformations, we can always use the Lorentz transformation but for practical purposes, we often use the Galilean transformations for normal velocities. This approach is similar to situations involving gravitation, in which it is not necessary to use the general formula of gravitation that involves the masses of objects and the distance between them [F = (G · M · m) / r2], but we often use the simplified formula F = m · g instead.
Lorentz transformations of spacetime coordinates allow us find the relativistic formulae of velocity transformations for a particle moving and observed in two inertial systems S and S'. the relationship between velocities in these two systems are:
If we consider a one dimensional light ray (for example a light ray emitted by a laser) moving only in the X (X') direction, we have vx = c, vy = 0 and vz = 0 (in S). Thus, we find for the velocity in S' (giving that V << c):
Therefore, the observer in S' measures the same velocity c in the positive direction of X' while the velocity of light in the other directions is zero (as expected).
The Lorentz transformations for velocity converge with the classical formulae for V << c or for c → ∞. This is obvious given their structure.
Enjoy the "Lorentz Transformations" revision notes? People who liked the "Lorentz Transformations" revision notes found the following resources useful:
Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use
We hope you found this Physics tutorial "Lorentz Transformations" useful. If you did it would be great if you could spare the time to rate this physics tutorial (simply click on the number of stars that match your assessment of this physics learning aide) and/or share on social media, this helps us identify popular tutorials and calculators and expand our free learning resources to support our users around the world have free access to expand their knowledge of physics and other disciplines.