Scientists know things can't travel faster than light speed, so how do scholars add together numbers close to light speed? The sixth video in the eight-part series on Special Relativity answers these questions and more. the narrator not only explains how to solve the problems, but also why the solution works.

Concepts

the theory of special relativity, the theory of general relativity, velocity

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Practice velocity addition of both small numbers and numbers close to the speed of light

Classroom Considerations

• Content ends at 4:20; it's fine to end the video there
• Relies on prior knowledge of the speed of light and the previous videos in the series

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Demonstrates a mechanical Lorentz transformation, otherwise known as a mechanical Minkowski diagram or spacetime globe
• Gives teachers the flexibility to implement in traditional or flipped classes

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4