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Special Relativity Quizlet

Terms in this set (14)

inertial frame of reference
a frame of reference that is not accelerating but is at rest or moving with a constant velocity
non-inertial frame of reference
an accelerated frame of reference
frame of reference
a system for specifying the precise location of objects in space and time
aether
a hypothetical material permeating through all space, providing a medium through which light could travel
Gendanken experiment
an experiment carried out in thought only
Albert Einstein
German physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which states that time, space, and mass are relative to each other and not fixed.
time dilation
the slowing of a clock as its speed approaches the speed of light as measured by an observer not moving with the clock
length contraction
the shortening of an object along its direction of motion as its speed approaches the speed of light, as measured by an observer not moving with the object.
Lorentz factor
Factor by which object's time, length and relativistic mass change whilst in motion.
proper length
the length of an object as measured by an observer who is at rest in a frame of reference where the object is at rest.
proper time
is time as measured by observer in a frame of reference where the events take place at the same point in space
light clock
a beam of light reflected between two perfect, parallel mirrors that can be used to measure time.
Michelson Morley Experiment
the experiment that failed to prove the existence of an aether and opened the door for new lines of thinking in regards to the relative speed of light.
Galilean relativity
the laws of mechanics must be the same in all inertial frames of reference.
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