#12.3.1
The Michelson-Morley experiment
Principle of the Michelson-Morley interferometer.
Outline of the experiment as a means of detecting absolute motion.
Significance of the failure to detect absolute motion.
The invariance of the speed of light.
#12.3.2
Einstein’s theory of special relativity
The concept of an inertial frame of reference.
The two postulates of Einstein’s theory of special relativity:
1. physical laws have the same form in all inertial frames
2. the speed of light in free space is invariant.
#12.3.3
Time dilation
Proper time and time dilation as a consequence of special relativity.
Time dilation: \(t = \dfrac{t_0}{\sqrt{1-\dfrac{v_2}{c_2}}} \)
Evidence for time dilation from muon decay.
#12.3.4
Length contraction
Length of an object having a speed v
\(l = l_0\sqrt{1 - \dfrac{v_2}{c_2}} \)
#12.3.5
Mass and energy
Equivalence of mass and energy,
\(E = mc^2 \); \(E = \dfrac{m_0c^2}{\sqrt{1-\dfrac{v_2}{c_2}}} \)
Graphs of variation of mass and kinetic energy with speed.
Bertozzi’s experiment as direct evidence for the variation of kinetic energy with speed.