5.1 Invariance of physical laws  (Page 2/10)

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Einstein’s first postulate

Not only are the principles of classical mechanics simplest in inertial frames, but they are the same in all inertial frames. Einstein based the first postulate of his theory on the idea that this is true for all the laws of physics, not merely those in mechanics.

First postulate of special relativity

The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference.

This postulate denies the existence of a special or preferred inertial frame . The laws of nature do not give us a way to endow any one inertial frame with special properties. For example, we cannot identify any inertial frame as being in a state of “absolute rest.” We can only determine the relative motion of one frame with respect to another.

There is, however, more to this postulate than meets the eye. The laws of physics include only those that satisfy this postulate. We will see that the definitions of energy and momentum must be altered to fit this postulate. Another outcome of this postulate is the famous equation $E=m{c}^{2},$ which relates energy to mass.

Einstein’s second postulate

The second postulate upon which Einstein based his theory of special relativity deals with the speed of light . Late in the nineteenth century, the major tenets of classical physics were well established. Two of the most important were the laws of electromagnetism and Newton’s laws. Investigations such as Young’s double-slit experiment in the early 1800s had convincingly demonstrated that light is a wave. Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism implied that electromagnetic waves travel at $c=3.00×{10}^{8}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{m/s}$ in a vacuum, but they do not specify the frame of reference in which light has this speed. Many types of waves were known, and all travelled in some medium. Scientists therefore assumed that some medium carried the light, even in a vacuum, and that light travels at a speed c relative to that medium (often called “the aether”).

Starting in the mid-1880s, the American physicist A.A. Michelson, later aided by E.W. Morley, made a series of direct measurements of the speed of light. They intended to deduce from their data the speed v at which Earth was moving through the mysterious medium for light waves. The speed of light measured on Earth should have been c + v when Earth’s motion was opposite to the medium’s flow at speed u past the Earth, and c v when Earth was moving in the same direction as the medium. The results of their measurements were startling.

Michelson-morley experiment

The Michelson-Morley experiment    demonstrated that the speed of light in a vacuum is independent of the motion of Earth about the Sun.

The eventual conclusion derived from this result is that light, unlike mechanical waves such as sound, does not need a medium to carry it. Furthermore, the Michelson-Morley results implied that the speed of light c is independent of the motion of the source relative to the observer. That is, everyone observes light to move at speed c regardless of how they move relative to the light source or to one another. For several years, many scientists tried unsuccessfully to explain these results within the framework of Newton’s laws.

why we have physics
because is the study of mater and natural world
John
because physics is nature. it explains the laws of nature. some laws already discovered. some laws yet to be discovered.
Yoblaze
is this a physics forum
explain l-s coupling
how can we say dirac equation is also called a relativistic equation in one word
what is the electronic configration of Al
what's the signeficance of dirac equetion.?
what is the effect of heat on refractive index
As refractive index depend on other factors also but if we supply heat on any system or media its refractive index decrease. i.e. it is inversely proportional to the heat.
ganesh
you are correct
Priyojit
law of multiple
Wahid
if we heated the ice then the refractive index be change from natural water
Nepal
can someone explain normalization condition
Swati
yes
Chemist
1 millimeter is How many metres
1millimeter =0.001metre
Gitanjali
The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons when light shines on a material.
What is photoelectric effect
it gives practical evidence of particke nature of light.
Omsai
particle nature
Omsai
photoelectric effect is the phenomenon of emission of electrons from a material(i.e Metal) when it is exposed to sunlight. Emitted electrons are called as photo electrons.
Anil
what are the applications of quantum mechanics to medicine?
Neptune
application of quantum mechanics in medicine: 1) improved disease screening and treatment ; using a relatively new method known as BIO- BARCODE ASSAY we can detect disease-specific clues in our blood using gold nanoparticles. 2) in Genomic medicine 3) in protein folding 4) in radio theraphy(MRI)
Anil
Quantam physics ki basic concepts?
why does not electron exits in nucleaus
electrons have negative
YASH
Proton and meltdown has greater mass than electron. So it naturally electron will move around nucleus such as gases surrounded earth
Amalesh
.......proton and neutron....
Amalesh
excuse me yash what negative
Rika
coz, electron contained minus ion
Manish
negative sign rika shrestha ji
YASH
electron is the smallest negetive charge...An anaion i.e., negetive ion contains extra electrons. How ever an atom is neutral so it must contains proton and electron
Amalesh
yes yash ji
Rika
yes friends
Prema
koantam theory
Laxmikanta
yes prema
Rika
quantum theory tells us that both light and matter consists of tiny particles which have wave like propertise associated with them.
Prema
proton and nutron nuclear power is best than proton and electron kulamb force
Laxmikanta
what is de-broglie wave length?
Ramsuphal
plot a graph of MP against tan ( Angle/2) and determine the slope of the graph and find the error in it.
expression for photon as wave