The Physics of Lorentz Transformation 1

(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)

The Physics of Lorentz Transformation
(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)

From the basics Einsteins mind experiments, we can derivate the Lorentz
Transformations, visualizing each step of the relativitic physics envolved.
We should bear in mind that the Relativity Theory is based in two main
fundamental principles:
1- The speed of light is constant in any reference system.
2- All reference systems are equaly valid and relatives one to each other.
Than, supposing an isotropic space (no preferential direction), every system
can consider itself at rest and all the others in movement.
First, we use the mind experiment where the observer O, moving with speed
V regarding to O (considered at rest), emits a light ray in the direction of a mirror
positioned straight ahead of him (transversal to his movement). The result of this
experience will give us directly the general expression for time diatation and for
space contraction.
In this case, the development of the experience will be given by the
following figure:















OO
O
O
V.T/2
V.T/2
c.T/2
c.T/2
c.T/2
L
B
A
The Physics of Lorentz Transformation 2
(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)

For O, the trajectory of the light to go to the mirror and come back occurs
during the time interval T. For O, the trajectory occurs in time interval T. The
figure11 shows us that:

2 2 2
2 2 2
'
2 2 2
T T T
c V c
| | | | | |
=
| | |
\ \ \


Therefore:

2
2
2 2
2
2
2
1
1 ' '
1
V
T T T T
c
V
c
| |
= =
|
\



If we call
2
2
1
1
V
c
=

, then: ' T T = .

We come so to the expression of time diatation, once O mesures a time
interval times bigger then O (which mesures its proper time).
In other hand, O sees point B following point A after a time interval T and,
since, for him, O is moving to the left with speed V, he concludes that the distance
between A and B will be given by ' . ' L V T = .
But O sees O travel the distance between A e B during the time interval T,
concluding that . L V T = .
Considering the time dialatation, it follows that:
' '
'
' ' .
L L L L L
V V L
T T T T
= = = = =
So we arrive to the expression of the space contraction, by wich the
observer at rest sees the length in movement shorter by a factor .
Making now a second mind experiment, we will get the time
desynchronization, for a observer at rest, along the space in moving systems.
We will consider that, in a moving system, a light signal is emited to two
equidistants points, along the moving direction of the system.
The Physics of Lorentz Transformation 3
(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)


For O, the signals reach points A and B at the same time, but, for O, the
signal reaches point A before point B.
So, if we consider the clock syncronization, O will see the clock B of O
retarded regarding the clock A of O. This delay will be given by:
2 1
T T T = .
As showed by the geometry of the figure, this expression is given by:

1 1 1
2 2
2 2 2
2
2
2
2
L
L
T V T c T
LV
c V
T
L c V
L
T c T V T
c V

= + =

+
=
`

= =

)


Therefore O sees the two clocks of O, A e B (that are apart one from each
other by the length L, regarding O), differing by a time interval
2 2
LV
T
c V
=

,
where the clock in front is delayed regarding the clock behind (all positions related
to the movement of system O).
Those conclusions are enough to get the Lorentz Transformations only using
relativistic physical considerations. Lets see how:





The Physics of Lorentz Transformation 4
(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)
















For the point (x,t) in O, the distance x, mesured by O is given by: x Vt .
But the observer at rest sees the moving lenght shortened by a factor .
Therefore the coordinate ' x mesured by O will be given by:

( )
' x x Vt = (1).

On the other hand, the elapsed time passed to O in its origin is less then the
the elapsed time passed to O in point
( )
, x t

by a factor . But the time registered
by O at O origin is ahead of the time that he reads at ' x , in proportion to the
length ' x mesured by O. Therefore the time ' t will be given by the time t reduced
by the the factor , subtracted by the dessincrhonization interval t relative to the
length x Vt , also reduced by the factor .
So we have:

( )
2 2
1
' .
t V
t x V t
c V
| |
=
|

\

V
O
O
x
x
x
V t
x
(x,t)
The Physics of Lorentz Transformation 5
(A simple derivation of Lorentz Transformation)

( )
( )
( )
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
2 2 2
2
2 2 2 2 2
1
' .
1
1
' .
' .
1
'
' 1
V
t
c
t x V t
V
c
V t
t x v t
c
V t
t x V t
c
V V
t t x
c c
V V V V V
t t x t x
c c c c c

| |
|
| =
|

|
\
| |
=
|
\
=
| |
= +
|
\
| | | |
= + = +
| |
\ \

0
Therefore:
2
'
V
t t x
c

| |
=
|
\
(2)

Those two expressions (1 e 2) give the Lorentz Transformation!