Dr. Johann Rafelski, University of Arizona
When
Where
Special Relativity (SR) is the foundation of modern physics and yet today SR is rarely taught as a course given by an expert lecturer. In the introductory text books SR is treated as a necessary (frequently misrepresented) insert, at times even omitted in the classroom, a situation that is common in 300/400 level mechanics and electrodynamics classes. The outcome is that the majority of physics graduates do not understand SR and thus misunderstand many related elementary physics phenomena. The relativistic Doppler effect is an example where the most common answer is, "Relativistic = time dilation." However, at the time of light emission, the observer and her speed relative to the source and thus the time dilation are not known. Another frequent statement, "Distance contraction and time dilation confirm each other," will be analyzed and eliminated from your vocabulary. The physical reality of the Lorentz-FitzGerald body contraction and possible forthcoming experiments will be described. The unfinished formulation of SR when forces are not gravity will be explained. Additional topics often raised in floor questions include Bell's rockets, the non-reversibility of time dilation, relevance of the smallest acceleration, extended bodies in SR, and Einstein's aether (1920 work replaces 1905 remarks).
** Refreshments served from 2:45pm – 3:00pm in PAS 218. Thank you. **