Physics 30 Final Exam Review
Principle of Relativity- every non-accelerated object observes the same laws of nature. No experiment
performed within a sealed room moving at a constant speed can tell you wether you are standing still or
moving
Newtons laws of Motion1. Law of Inertia- states that a body maintains its state of motion unless acted on by an external
unbalanced force
Principle of Constancy of Lightspeed- the speed of light (300 000km/s= c) is the same for all
nonaccelerated observers, regardless of the motion of the light source on the observer
Speed= distance/ time
Special Theory of Relativity- a theory based on the principles of relativity and constancy of light speed
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“special” differentiates this theory from Newtonian (Galilean) relativity
Applies only to nonaccelerated observes
Predicts space and time are not absolute but light speed is consistent for all observers (nonaccelerating)
This special theory has 5 important predictions
o Relativity of time
o Relativity of space
o Relativity of mass
o ‘e’ as in limiting speed
o E=mc2
Relativity of Time- for moving frames of reference, time slows down relative to an observer. The faster
the speed the more time slows. At ‘c’, time stops.
Twin Paradox- 1 twin gets on a space ship and travels at high speed into space, the other twin stays on
earth. After 25 years, the twin returns to earth and finds out that her other twin has aged much longer
than 25 years.
Relativity of Space- as you travel at higher speeds, length contracts. A space ship standing still