The Concept of Transformation

A set of dynamical variables are known or measured for a particle in a given frame. We are interested in finding out the values of the same set of variables in a different frame. The equations that we shall use are called transformation equations.

Example of a transformation
Co-ordinates or velocity transformations. Velocity transformation is relative velocity.

We shall first formalize classical transformation.

Problem Formulation
Set of Axes
y

S
O z z

S
O x

Assumptions
Frame S moves with respect to S r along x-axis with a velocity v . Clock of each observer is set to zero when their origins coincide.

Galilean Co-ordinate Transformation

Direct Transformation
x=x-vt, y=y, z=z, t=t

Inverse Transformation
x=x+vt, y=y, z=z, t=t

If A and B are two events, this implies that tA-tB=tA-tB

Time is absolute, NOT RELATIVE

Galilean Velocity Transformation

dx dx dy dy dz dz = v, = , = dt dt dt dt dt dt = ux v, uy = u y uz = uz ux 1. Relative velocity formula, is inconsistent with the second postulate. 2. The inverse velocity transformation can be similarly derived.

We have to now look for a transformation, which is consistent with the second postulate and can yield the speed of light to be frame independent.

Time is the suspect

Time is related to the simultaneity of two events.
Train leaves at 10:00 hrs implies: train leaving and clock showing 10:00 hrs are simultaneous events.

We show that simultaneity is relative under the second postulate. For this we take a very simple example.

Example
An observer is exactly half way in a running compartment of length L. He throws two balls at the same time (t=0) with a speed u as measured by him. One towards the front wall and other toward back wall.

S u u

Two Events
Event1: The first ball reaches the front wall Event 2: The second ball reaches back wall Question: Are events 1 and 2 simultaneous, implying do they occur at the same time?

Classical Analysis in S frame

Time (t1) for event 1: L = t1 2u L = t2 2u Hence the two events are simultaneous in this frame.

Time (t2) for event 2:

Classical Analysis in S frame

The speed of the first ball in S frame is u+v. The speed of the second ball in S frame is u-v. The first ball travels a larger distance than the second one. Let t1 and t2 be the time for the first and the second event.

We shall thus get

L vt1 + = (u + v )t1 2 L vt 2 = (u v )t 2 2 This gives L t1 = 2u L t2 = 2u Thus t1=t2=t1=t2

Same Experiment with Light

Now imagine that the observer shines light instead of throwing balls which travels both in the front and the back direction. Event 1: Light reaches the front wall Event 2: Light reaches the back wall

S c c

According to S
The two events are simultaneous. This is because in S the light covers the same distance in the front direction as in back, and with same speed.

According to S
The speed of light is still c in both the directions, according to the second postulate. But it has to travel a larger distance to reach the front wall than the back wall.

Conclusion
There is simultaneity of two events in S but not in S. Simultaneity of two events thus depends on the frame chosen. In other words, two events that are simultaneous in a given frame will not be seen to be simultaneous in another frame. That means, time is a frame dependent quantity! Or time is no longer absolute!