Reading assignment: 39.5
The Lorentz transformation equations relate the space and time coordinates of
"events". What is an "event"? Give some examples.
An "event" is something that happens at a particular place, at a particular time. Examples: * A teacher slams a book on a table * My wife opens up our mailbox * A star goes supernova * The light from the supernova first reaches an astronomer's eye
The Lorentz transformation equations relate the coordinates of events
occuring in different "frames of reference". What is a "frame of reference"?
Give some examples.
For our purposes, a frame of reference is a viewpoint moving at a constant velocity. Examples: * Dr Colton in his spaceship * People on earth watching him leave * People of Zyzyz, awaiting his arrival
The Lorentz transformation equations are given as Eqn 39.11 and Eqn 39.12
(reverse transformation) (8th edition). Why are the equations for y and z so
trivial?
The equations assume all of the relative motion is in the x-direction.