Chapter 26 Special Theory of Relativity

SmartBoard Pre-Lecture Notes for Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Giancoli 6th Edition Web Resources

AP Syllabus

Chapter 26 Homework

Chapter Outline:

26-1  Galilean-Newtonian Relativity (pg. 727)   RE: Relativity

• Inertial frames of reference
• Relativity principle
• The "ether"

26-2  Postulates of Special Relativity (pg. 730)

• The two postulates of special relativity
• Einstein's special theory of relativity

26-3  Simultaneity (pg. 731)

• Simultaneity and travel near the speed of light

26-4  Time Dilation: The Twin Paradox (pg. 734)   RE: Time Dilation

• Time dilation thought experiment
• Derivation of the time dilation formula
• Twin paradox

26-5  Length Contraction (pg. 740)

• Length contraction near the speed of light
• Length contraction formula

26-6  Four-Dimensional Space-Time (pg. 742)

• Three dimensional space
• Time

26-7  Momentum and Mass (pg. 742)

• Relativistic momentum
• Rest mass and mass increase

26-8 The Ultimate Speed (pg. 743)

• "c" as a mathematical and conceptual limit

26-9 E = mc²: Mass and Energy (pg. 744)

• Mass-energy equivalency
• Rest energy
• Relativistic kinetic energy

26-11 The Impact of Special Relativity (pg. 748)

• The correspondence principle