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Professor Dave Explains
Special Relativity Part 3: Length Contraction
Time dilation was pretty weird, huh? Well we aren't done yet! Time is relative, and so is space! Different observers measure different lengths for objects and journeys. Weird stuff!
Professor Dave Explains
Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
In our study of physics, we have become aware of four forces, and the fields that mediate them. Once we got deep into quantum theory, we started to realize that these forces are not mediated by fields at all, but rather by quanta. That's...
Professor Dave Explains
Special Relativity Part 4: Mass-Energy Equivalence or E = mc^2
Everyone and their mom knows about E = mc^2, it's the most famous equation in science, and there are plenty of posters you can buy for your dorm room with Einstein's face and this equation floating mysteriously around his head. But what...
Physics Girl
Special Relativity and the Twin Paradox
How can just two rules of Einstein's 1905 theory of special relativity lead to seemingly paradoxical changes in the perception of time? Want exclusive updates whenever a new video is posted? Special relativity was one of the first...
Professor Dave Explains
Special Relativity Part 1: From Galileo to Einstein
We talked a little bit about relative motion in the classical physics course, with Galileo dropping stuff in boats. But once Einstein got his hands on relativity, he went a little nutty with it! The inertial reference frames are back but...
Wonderscape
Albert Einstein: The Genius Who Changed the World
In this video transcript, we learn about the life and contributions of Albert Einstein, a famous scientist who revolutionized our understanding of the universe. From his early curiosity in mathematics and electricity to his...
MinutePhysics
Distance and Special Relativity: How Far Away is Tomorrow?
The confusing negative properties of time and distance are clarified, quickly and succinctly, in a super-short clip. Make this a part of your presentation on the speed of light, or special relativity.
Curated OER
Gravity in Terms of Space-Time
The History Channel presents a short video explaining gravity in terms of the fabric of space-time. These mind boggling concepts will be fascinating to your physics class. Show it as an introduction to relativity. Unfortunately the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity
What happens when you approach the speed of light? This video segment adapted from NOVA follows one of Albert Einstein's thought experiments and his quest to find the answer. [7:05]
Crash Course
Crash Course Physics #42: Special Relativity
So we've all heard of relativity, right? But, what is relativity? And how does it relate to light? And motion? In this video episode of Crash Course Physics, Shini talks to us about perspective, observation, and how relativity is REALLY...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Angle of S' Axis in Minkowski Spacetime
Take a closer look to see if there is a relationship between relative angles of the axes in reference frames. [7:21]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Measuring Time in Meters in Minkowski Spacetime
As counterintuitive as it might sound, it will become extremely convenient to use the same units for space and time. Here's how. [4:57]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Galilean Transformation and Contradictions With Light
Here we'll see how classical physics predicts scenarios that disagree with what we observe in nature. Something's got to give. [8:03]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Potential Ways to Detect an Ether Wind
Thinking about how Earth's relative velocity to hypothetical luminiferous ether can be used to detect ether.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Light and the Luminiferous Ether
If waves are disruptions traveling through a medium and light is a wave, what medium does it travel through? A luminiferous ether? [7:57]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Calculating Neutral Velocity
A video exploring how to calculate the equal speed at which both A and B could be traveling away from a 'neutral' observer. [6:44]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Lorentz Transformation Derivation Part 3
Finishing our Lorentz transformation derivation for t. [11:21]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Lorentz Transformation Derivation Part 1
Using symmetry of frames of reference and the absolute velocity of the speed of light (regardless of frame of reference) to begin to solve for the Lorentz factor. [10:54]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Introduction to the Lorentz Transformation
So we've got two coordinate systems from the perspectives of two observers. How can we convert spacetime coordinates between these? Enter the Lorentz transformation! [8:20]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Evaluating a Lorentz Transformation
We'll consider an example of the Lorentz transformation with actual numbers, and analyze the results we get. [8:40]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Deriving Lorentz Transformation Part 2
Continuing the algebra to solve for the Lorentz factor. [6:07]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Time Dilation
We'll start thinking about time dilation in special relativity and how a Loedel diagram can help up appreciate symmetry between inertial frames. [9:14]