Physics Teaching Demo: The Principle of Relativity

by Prof. Kassa Betre (Pepperdine University)

Wednesday Jun 5, 2019, 3:30 PM → 4:30 PM Pacific/Honolulu

420 (Watanabe Hall)

In this teaching demo we will study the theoretical and experimental foundations that led to Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Einstein's Special Relativity is a theory formulated to save the the Principle of Relativity which can be framed by stating that the laws of physics will take the same form in all inertial reference frames. We will first see the precise mathematical formulation of the principle of relativity in classical Newtonian Physics that relies on reference frames and Galilean transformations. Then, we will study three examples of how the principle of relativity is violated by Maxwell's theory of Electromagnetism. Following that we will study how Einstein reconciled the Principle of Relativity with electromagnetism by postulating the constancy of the speed of light in all inertial frames.

Video - Prof. K. Betre