Special relativity (AQA A-Level Physics): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
ShowHide
Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
What is an inertial frame of reference?
What is an inertial frame of reference?
Frame moving at constant velocity relative to other frames
Which frames cannot be inertial?
Which frames cannot be inertial?
Accelerating or rotating frames
What does special relativity describe?
What does special relativity describe?
How motion affects length, time, mass near speed of light
1st postulate of special relativity
1st postulate of special relativity
Speed of light is invariant for all observers
Speed of light in vacuum
Speed of light in vacuum
m/s
2nd postulate of special relativity
2nd postulate of special relativity
Laws of physics same in all inertial frames
What is time dilation?
What is time dilation?
Time moves slower for moving observer vs stationary observer
What is length contraction?
What is length contraction?
Objects at high speed appear contracted in motion direction
What is relativistic mass increase?
What is relativistic mass increase?
Mass increases as object approaches speed of light
What frames does special relativity apply to?
What frames does special relativity apply to?
Inertial frames of reference only