Peer reviewed
Direct linkERIC Number: EJ859370
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Oct
Pages: 2
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
A More Intuitive Version of the Lorentz Velocity Addition Formula
Devlin, John F.
Physics Teacher, v47 n7 p442-443 Oct 2009
The Lorentz velocity addition formula for one-dimensional motion presents a number of problems for beginning students of special relativity. In this paper we suggest a simple rewrite of the formula that is easier for students to memorize and manipulate, and furthermore is more intuitive in understanding the correction necessary when adding relativistic effects to the Galilean velocity addition formula.
Descriptors: Motion, Physics, Science Instruction, Scientific Principles, Problem Solving, Mathematical Formulas, Scientific Concepts, Arithmetic
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
