Homework 13 (Due. Apr 17)

1. Lorentz transformation for the general velocity vector

Textbooks tend to only give you the Lorentz transformation along a single coordinate axis, but it is not always convenient to keep redefining the coordinate system for problems with several different velocities. To derive a more general formula using vector notation, use the idea that the part of a position vector $\vec{r}$ that is parallel to the velocity is the part that is changed by the transformation, while the part that is perpendicular to the velocity is unchanged.

Assume that you wish to transform from your inertial frame (the ($\vec{r}, ct$) frame] to the “primed” inertial frame ($\vec{r}’, ct’$) moving with velocity $\vec{v} = c\vec{\beta}$ that points in some arbitrary direction (e.g., it has an $x$, $y$ and $z$ component). You should find the following: $c t’ = \gamma (c t − \vec{r} \cdot \vec{\beta})$ and $\vec{r}’=\vec{r}+(\gamma −1)(\vec{r}\cdot \hat{\beta})\hat{\beta}−\gamma ct \vec{\beta}$.
Show that in the case that the velocity is in the x-direction, you get back the usual transformation.
How would you write this using 4-vector notation? What is $\Lambda_{\nu}^{\mu}$?

2. Transformation of velocity and acceleration components

We derived the transformation of velocity in 1D (i.e., when there is one frame moving at a speed $v$ in the $x$ direction, $S’$ relative to the other, $S$) using the Lorentz transformations. We found that

$u = \dfrac{u' + v}{1+\frac{u'v}{c^2}}$

Derive the relationship between the velocity components in each frame (for both the $y$ and $z$ directions) for the same scenario. Recall that length measurements will be the same in both frames!
Derive the relationship between the acceleration measured in the $S$ frame and the $S’$ frame in just the x-direction.
Show check the limits of your results in part 2 when $v$ approaches 0. Does you result make sense? What about when $v$ approaches $c$?

3. Rapidity

It is common in nuclear physics to talk about “rapidity” of a particle, defined as an angle $\phi = \cosh^{-1} \gamma$ (here $\gamma$ is the usual relativistic gamma factor, and that’s an inverse hyperbolic $\cosh$).

Prove that the usual relativistic $\beta = v/c$ is given by $\beta = \tanh \phi$, and then show $\beta \gamma = \sinh \phi$. With these, rewrite the Lorentz transformations in matrix form entirely in terms of the rapidity angle. The result you get might remind you of a rather different kind of transformation, please comment!
Suppose that observer B has rapidity $\phi_1$ as measured by observer A, and C has rapidity $\phi_2$ as observed by B (both velocities are on the x-axis). Show that the rapidity of C as measured by A is just $\phi_1 + \phi_2$, i.e. rapidities “add” (unlike velocities, which do not “properly” add in relativity!)

Here is a hyperbolic identity you might find useful: $\tanh(a+b) = \dfrac{\tanh a + \tanh b}{1 + \tanh a \tanh b}$ .

4. Invariance of the space-time interval

Prove that the interval between two events is Lorentz Invariant:

$I = \Delta {x}'_{\mu} \Delta {x}'^{\mu} = \Delta {x}_{\mu} \Delta {x}^{\mu}$

Recall that the Lorentz transformation is $\Delta {x}’^{\mu} = \Lambda_{\nu}^{\mu} \Delta x^{\nu}$.

5. Project problem - Choose your feedback

You’ve been working on this project for a while now and this will be the last formal project problem. Think about what feedback you want from me regarding your project. What would be helpful? What do you need some direction or instructions on? Think about what would help you the most to make a successful poster in a couple of weeks. Write up a short document outlining what feedback you feel that you need and direct me to the document(s) to review.

This kind of work models what your advisor (or boss) might do when you are presenting a project that you’ve been working on. You know the details of the project better than the advisor (or boss), but you might still want help thinking about the big picture or, perhaps, some specific details that you want to check.

As usual, commit these changes to your repository.