Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Yale University

Introduction to the Four-Vector in Special Relativity - Lecture 14

Yale University via YouTube

Overview

Delve into the fundamental concepts of special relativity in this comprehensive lecture from Yale University's Fundamentals of Physics course. Explore the unification of space-time coordinates through the introduction of the four-vector, a powerful mathematical tool that combines x, y, z, and t into a single entity. Discover how Lorentz transformations affect these components and learn about the invariant space-time interval. Examine causality paradoxes and gain a new understanding of space-time. Investigate four-vector algebra, the concept of proper time, and derive velocity and momentum vectors in space-time. Conclude with an exploration of the revolutionary energy-mass relation. This 73-minute lecture provides a deep dive into the mathematical foundations of special relativity, offering valuable insights for students and enthusiasts of physics.

Syllabus

- Chapter 1. Recap—Consequences of the Lorentz Transformations.
- Chapter 2. Causality Paradoxes: "Killing the Grandmother".
- Chapter 3. A New Understanding of Space-Time.
- Chapter 4. Introducing the Fourth Dimension and Four-Vector Algebra.
- Chapter 5. The Space-Time Interval, or "Proper Time".
- Chapter 6. Deriving the Velocity and Momentum Vectors in Space-Time.
- Chapter 7. The New Energy-Mass Relation.

Taught by

YaleCourses

Reviews

Start your review of Introduction to the Four-Vector in Special Relativity - Lecture 14

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.