Special Relativity – Mr. Renwick's Online Classroom

Media

As you watch the next video, try to figure out how the effects will change if the ship is not enclosed.

Galileo’s Full Thought Experiment (3:06)

Relative Motion Experiment in Agora (2:54 – watch from 0:48)

In simple 1-dimensional motion, you can easily see that motion is measured relative to the observer. In the following video, try to figure out:

- How is the train moving relative to the stationary camera?
- How are the blocks moving relative to the stationary camera?
- How is the train moving relative to the blocks?

Relative Motion – Physics Experiment (0:26)

In 2 dimensions, it becomes a bit more difficult to see. In the following video, how is the ball moving relative to the stationary camera? How is it moving relative to the moving car?

Relative Motion Gun (1:07)

With a camera placed on the moving car, it becomes easier to see the relative motion of the ball. The following video uses a skateboarder instead of a car, but the concept is the same.

Flipping Physics – Skateboarding Frame of Reference Demonstration (2:30)