SHS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Quarter 2 – Module 8
Special Relativity

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Physical Science (Core Subject) – Grade 11/12

Quarter 2 – Week 6: Theory of Special Relativity

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Janice M. Posillo

Editors/Reviewers: Jocelyn Navera, Brenly Mendoza, Kristina Nieves, Aster Malto,

Jeanine B. Cristobal and Kenneth M. De la Fuente

Illustrator: Ray Daniel Peralta

Layout Artist: Jose Gamas Jr.

Language Editor: Diana Desuyo

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 Self- Learning Module for Senior High School Learners

LESSON
THEORY OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY

Did you know that a “simultaneous” event can be viewed

differently by two observers? Yes, they can. And both of
them can be correct.
From the previous module, you had an overview of
Special Relativity and discovered how it resolved the
conflict between Newtonian Mechanics and Maxwell’s
Electromagnetic Theory. In this module, you will have a deeper
understanding of Einstein’s concept on special relativity and its
consequences leading you to understand various cosmic
phenomena.

Learning the concepts related to Special of

Relativity will be your tool to better understand the
world of Cosmos and Physics. Are you now ready to
learn?
Make sure to perform all the activities diligently to
ensure full understanding of the lesson. Rest assured
this will be another exciting and fun-filled learning
adventure.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

Explain the consequences of the postulates of Special Relativity

(e.g. relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction,
mass-energy equivalence and cosmic speed limit) S11/12PS-IVi-j

Specific Objectives:

• explain the special theory of relativity;

• describe the consequences of the postulates of the special theory of relativity of
simultaneity such as length contraction, time dilation, mass energy equivalence,
cosmic speed limit
• solve problems involving length contraction, time dilation and mass-energy
equivalence

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 Directions: Read and analyze the questions carefully and
choose the BEST answer from among the given choices. Write
your answer in your big notebook.
1. Which of the following concludes that the laws of
physics hold true in frames of reference moving at a uniform speed?
A. Theory of General Relativity
B. Theory of Special Relativity
C. Law of Universal Gravitation
D. Law of Conservation of Energy
2. Which of the following statement (s) about light hold(s) TRUE in accordance with
Einstein’s theory of special relativity?
A. The measured speed of light is dependent upon the source.
B. The measured speed of light is dependent upon the speed of the observer.
C. The speed of light varies depending upon the speed of source and observer.
D. The speed of light is always the same regardless of the speed of the source
or the observer.
3. Can two persons view “one event happening simultaneously” in a different way?
A. NO. Both of them will observe the event happening simultaneously regardless
of their frame of reference.
B. NO. They have to be in the same frame of reference in order for this to
happen.
C. YES. If they are located in different frames of reference relative to one
another.
D. YES. If they are located in the same frames of reference.

4. Suppose a spaceship has been discovered to travel at 90% the speed of light and
was sent on a space mission for 10 (Earth) years. How would you compare the age
of the astronaut to his twin brother here on Earth when he returns?
A. He would be older than his twin brother.
B. He would be younger than his twin brother.
C. He would be of the same age as his twin brother.
D. He would be twice as older as his twin brother.
5. A space rocket has a length of 10 meter on Earth. Suppose it travels at 0.5 c and its
length is measured by an observer here in earth. What would expect the observer to
report about its length?
A. shorter than 10 meters C. longer than 10 meters
B. 10 meters D. 20 meters

Hi! How did you find the test?

Please check your answers at the answer key section and
see how you did. Don’t worry if you got a low score, this just
means that there are more things that you can learn from
this module. So, hop on!

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 Who is telling the TRUTH?!
Direction: Read and analyze the situation below and
answer the questions that follow.
Two men, A & C are observing a passenger (B)
seated at a bus travelling at constant speed. A is seated next to the
passenger while C is standing across the road observing the bus pass by. A reported
that the passenger is motionless while C reported that the passenger is moving at a
certain speed. Who is correct? Why do you say so?

image source: https://byjus.com/physics/frames-of-reference/

Good job in finishing the activity! In this activity, you have

discovered that motion is relative. Now, in the next activity you will
discover, how would two observers perceive two “simultaneous”
events from two frames of references. Einstein conducted
experiments only in his mind. This time I want you to be just like
Einstein and perform this thought experiment below.

EINSTEIN’S WANNA BE?

Imagine that you once again have an observer, OE

standing on a railway embankment as a train goes
roaring by. Meanwhile, another observer, OT on the train
is sitting at its exact midpoint. Each end of the train is
struck by a bolt of lightning just as the train’s midpoint is
passing.
How would observer OE perceive the event? What about OT?

Image source: https://pages.uoregon.edu/imamura/123/lecture-9/

Please write your answer in your journal/lecture notebook.

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 As you go along with the next activity, you will find the answer to these
questions. Compare the result of your thought experiment to that of Einstein. Then,
reconcile your idea and thoughts with that of Einstein’s.

Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity has been very

revolutionary because it changed the contemporary
notion of space and time. The first one is there is NO
“absolute” frame of reference. Every time you measure
an objects velocity, or its momentum, or how it experiences time,
it’s always in relation to something else. It means that the way we look at events or
phenomena will always be relative to one another. We can look at the same thing but
could see different things. This led him to the first postulate, the consistent law
principle:

(1) The laws of Physics are the same in all inertial frames of
reference moving with constant velocity relative to one another.
The laws of physics don’t change, even for objects moving in inertial
frames of reference.

The second postulate is about the constancy of the speed of light:

(2) The speed of light is the same in all inertial frames of reference.
The speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their
motion relative to the light source.

Going back to the Explore part, the concept of simultaneity is relative since
speed of light is always measured with the same magnitude.

Because the lightning strikes are the same distance from the observer, OE,
their light reaches his eye at the same instant. So he correctly says that they
happened simultaneously.

Meanwhile, another observer, OT on the train is sitting at its exact midpoint.

From her perspective, the light from the two strikes also has to travel equal distances,
and she will likewise measure the speed of light to be the same in either direction.
But because the train is moving, the light coming from the lightning in the rear has to
travel farther to catch up, so it reaches her a few instants later than the light coming
from the front. Since the light pulses arrived at different times, she can only conclude
the strikes were not simultaneous—that the one in front actually happened first.
Therefore, the concept of “simultaneity” is relative. Wherein a two “simultaneous”
phenomena such as lightning striking the two ends of a train as cited above, can be
viewed differently by two individuals situated in different frames of reference. Two
events which are simultaneous to one observer are not necessarily simultaneous to a
second observer. We are not aware of simultaneity in everyday life because the effect
is noticeable only when the relative speed of the two reference frames is near c or the
distances involved are very large.

Pondering upon these thought experiments had led Einstein to the following
consequences of the postulates of special relativity:

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 1. Length Contraction: the object’s length shortens while moving.

To an observer on the spaceship, nothing

changes. He would see the actual length of the
spaceship. To an observer on Earth, he would
see shorter spaceship. As the spaceship travels
faster, the apparent length becomes even
shorter. This is given by the equation below:
𝑣2
l′ = l√1 −
𝑐2
Where: l’ – length measured by observer in the
moving frame of reference
l – length measured by the observer in
the stationary frame of reference
v – speed of the object
c – speed of light

image source: http://physics4cdtsirola.blogspot.com/2011/12/active-physics-relativity.html

However, it is important to note that length contraction occurs only along the
direction of motion. In the observer on Earth and on spaceship example, the moving
spaceship is shortened in length, but its height is the same.

PRACTICE PROBLEM 1
Suppose an astronaut, travels at 0.8c. The astronaut travels from Earth to the
nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, 4.300 light years (light year is the distance
travelled by light in a year) away as measured by an earthbound observer. How far
apart are Earth and Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronaut?
Given:
l’ – length in a moving frame of reference (unknown)
l – length measured in a rest frame of reference (Earth)
4.300 light years
v– 0.8c

𝑣2
l′ = l√1 −
𝑐2

(0.8𝑐)2
l′ = 4.300 ly√1 −
𝑐2

0.64𝑐 2
l′ = 4.300 ly√1 −
𝑐2
l′ = 4.300 ly√0.36
l′ = 4.300 ly (0.600)
l′ = 2.580 ly

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 The astronaut will measure 2.580 ly distance while that of Earth’s will
measure 4.300 ly distance between the Earth and Alpha Centauri.

2. Time Dilation: clocks run slowly while moving.

Time would also be relative to the
inertial frame of reference of the observer.
As shown in the figure in the left, the clock
in the spaceship traveling at high speed
would run slower, thus registering shorter
time compared to an observer on the
Earth. This is the concept of time dilation.
This is given by the equation
below:
𝑣2
t′ = t√1 −
Image source: 𝑐2
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2
F%2Fpages.uoregon.edu%2Fimamura%2F123%2
Where: t’ – time measured by observer
Flecture-9%2F&psig=AOvVaw34tOwllvfRjFg8Jx7- in the moving frame of reference
NQAG&ust=1597302854624000&source=images& t – time measured by the observer
cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwi6jKH7jpXrAhVZwIsBHbzXB
jwQr4kDegUIARC2AQ
in the stationary frame of reference
v – speed of the object
c – speed of light

PRACTICE PROBLEM 2

Suppose an astronaut, travels at 0.5c. After 10 years (Earth time), he returns.

How much time has passed by from the astronaut’s frame of reference?
Given:
t’ – unknown
t – 10 years
v – 0.5c
𝑣2
t′ = t√1 −
𝑐2

(0.5𝑐)2
t′ = 10 yrs√1 −
𝑐2

0.25𝑐 2
t′ = 10 yrs√1 −
𝑐2
t′ = 10 yrs √1 − 0.25
t′ = 10 yrs√0.75
t′ = 10 yrs (0.866)
t′ = 8.66 yrs
Ten (10) Earth years had passed while the astronaut would only experience
8.66 years while on board his spaceship.

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 It is important to note however that time dilation does not apply only to clocks.
In the given sample problem, it is not only time in the astronaut’s frame of reference
which runs slower but including all processes such as life processes according to
Earth’s observer. But to the astronaut, time would pass in a normal way.
In ordinary life, we don’t ordinarily notice time dilation because the speeds we
experience in everyday life are much smaller than c.

3. Mass-Energy Equivalence: the mass of the object increases while

moving
From Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc 2, energy and mass is equivalent;
that means to say mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. This also
means that the faster an object travels, the more massive it becomes.
This is given by the equation below:
m
𝑚′ =
2
√1 − 𝑣2
𝑐
Where: m’ – mass of the object in a frame moving at relativistic speed
m– mass of the object in the stationary frame of reference
v– speed of the object
c– speed of light

PRACTICE PROBLEM 3
A particle is accelerated to a speed of 0.95c relative to an observer in a
laboratory, the “lab” frame. If the particle was originally measured to have a mass of 5
grams, what is the mass that is observed in the laboratory?
Given:
m’ – unknown
m – 5 grams
v – 0.95c
m
𝑚′ =
2
√1 − 𝑣2
𝑐
5g
𝑚′ =
2
√1 − (0.95𝑐)
𝑐2
5g
𝑚′ =
2
√1 − 0.9025𝑐
𝑐2
5g
𝑚′ =
√0.0975
5g
𝑚′ =
0.3122
𝑚′ = 16.02g
The mass of the particle will be heavier, 16.02g while it is in the moving frame
of reference – the “lab” frame.

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 4. Cosmic Speed Limit: Nothing can go faster than the speed of light.

Einstein imagined to ride a beam of light. He expected that he would be

able to see photons of light at rest; but then he thought it would violate Maxwell’s
equation. He was able to reconcile this by concluding that he would never
actually be able to do this because he will never catch up with light.
Since the speed of light is always the same no matter where the observer is
or whatever the speed of the observer is; this puts a limit to the speed an object
can possibly reach. Nothing beats the speed of light. The speed of light is the
cosmic speed limit.

A. THUMBS UP for EINSTEIN!

Which of the following statements would Einstein agree based on his theory of
special relativity? Write the number of the statements of your choice in your
journal/ lecture notebook.

1. Time runs slower in a frame of reference moving at relativistic speed

compared to the time on Earth.
2. For an object to achieve infinite mass, it must travel at infinite speed –
greater than c (speed of light).
3. The objects mass increases with increasing speed.
4. Length is contracted for objects in a frame of reference traveling at
relativistic speeds.
5. A single event or occurrence will be viewed the same for two observers in
two different frames of reference.

B. Problem Solving. Solve the following problems in your journal/ lecture

notebook. Write a complete solution by including the given, the unknown,
formula used and the detailed solution to the given problem.
1. A particle is traveling through Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 0.750c. To
an earthbound observer, the distance it travels is 2.50 km. How far does
the particle travel as viewed from the particles frame of reference?
2. A rocket was sent to a 20-year (Earth) mission at 0.90c. How old is the 20-
year old astronaut when he returns? How would you compare the age of the
astronaut to his twin brother when he returns on Earth?
3. A particle is accelerated to a speed of 0.5c relative to an observer in a
laboratory, the “lab” frame. If the particle was originally measured to have a
mass of 10 grams, what is the mass that is observed in the laboratory?
If you want more challenging problems, you may continue answering 4-5.
4. The Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) is an experimental rocket
vehicle capable of traveling at 21,000 km/h (5830 m/s). If an electronic clock

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 in the HTV-2 measures a time interval of exactly 1s duration, what would
the observers on Earth measure the time interval to be?
5. To an observer on Earth, the moun travels at 0.95oc for 7.05 µs (µs is x 10-
6 s) from the time it is produced until it decays. What is the lifetime of the

muon in its own frame of reference?

How did you find the activity? Make sure to

check your answers on the answer key. If you got
3 problems answered correctly, congratulations! If
not, try to go back to the problems once again.
This is now the end of the supplementary
learning module! You have just had an amazing
and exciting learning journey and for sure, you will
have the same in the succeeding modules.
This time, share to the class your
takeaway insights from this module by completing
the following sentence prompts.

To strengthen what you have learned in this module,

perform the activity below.

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 Relativity Made Simple!

A writer once quoted “When you sit with a nice girl for two hours
you think it’s only a minute, but when you sit on a hot stove for a
minute you think it’s two hours. That’s relativity.”
It’s a simple analogy of relativity so that this will be
understood by a common person. If you are also to make your friend, or your mother
or father understand relativity, what analogy will you use? Please write it down in your
journal/ lecture notebook.
Relativity in Everyday Life!
Relativity is actually being experienced in everyday life. However, due to the
negligibly small velocity of moving objects compared to c, speed of light, its effect is
not observable. But there are already experimental evidences performed in labs
where particles are accelerated at very high speeds. Read the pocket information
provided for you below to look into how relativity effects are observed in:
a. GPS
b. OLD TV (With Cathode Ray Tube)
Writefrom:
Excerpt your answer in your journal/ lecture notebook.
8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real Life
By Jesse Emspak - Live Science Contributor March 14, 2017

Global Positioning Satellite

In order for your car's GPS navigation to function as accurately as it does,

satellites have to take relativistic effects into account. This is because even though
satellites aren't moving at anything close to the speed of light, they are still going pretty
fast. The satellites are also sending signals to ground stations on Earth. These stations
(and the GPS unit in your car) are all experiencing higher accelerations due to gravity
than the satellites in orbit.
To get that pinpoint accuracy, the satellites use clocks that are accurate to a few billionths
of a second (nanoseconds). Since each satellite is 12,600 miles (20,300 kilometers)
above Earth and moves at about 6,000 miles per hour (10,000 km/h), there's a relativistic
time dilation that tacks on about 4 microseconds each day. Add in the effects of gravity
and the figure goes up to about 7 microseconds. That's 7,000 nanoseconds.

The difference is very real: if no relativistic effects were accounted for, a GPS unit that
tells you it's a half mile (0.8 km) to the next gas station would be 5 miles (8 km) off after
only one day.

Your Old TV
Just a few years ago most televisions and monitors had cathode ray tube screens.
A cathode ray tube works by firing electrons at a phosphor surface with a big magnet.
Each electron makes a lighted pixel when it hits the back of the screen. The electrons
fired out to make the picture move at up to 30 percent the speed of light. Relativistic
effects are noticeable, and when manufacturers shaped the magnets, they had to take
those effects into account.

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 The following terms used in this module are defined as
follows:
Inertial Frame of Reference – a frame of reference that is either at rest or moving at a
constant velocity.
Postulate – a thing suggested or assumed to be true as the basis for reasoning, discussion
or belief.
Relativity - the observation of the motion of a body by two different observers in relative
motion to each other

Simultaneity – concept in the special theory of relativity which implies that simultaneous
events is relative to the frame of reference (two same events can be viewed differently by two
observers in different frames of reference).

Directions: Identify what is asked or described in each item then

write the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT in accordance with Einstein’s theory of
special relativity?
A. In an inertial frame of reference moving at constant speed, the laws of
physics are valid.
B. The speed of light has a constant value regardless of the speed of the
source and the observer.
C. The simultaneity of two events is relative to the inertial frame of
reference of the observers.
D. Light is faster for observers moving toward its source.
2. What happens to the mass of an object as it moves at relativistic speed?
A. increases C. stays the same
B. decreases D. increases twice

3. For two persons to view a “simultaneous” event the same, they should be
________________________?
A. traveling at the same speed
B. traveling at the speed of light
C. located in the same inertial frame of reference
D. located in different frames of reference
4. What are expected from astronauts being sent by NASA to space missions?
A. They age slower.
B. They age as that of their age in Earth.
C. They age faster.
D. They age twice as fast as that of their age in Earth
5. A spaceship is moving at 0.5 times the speed of light relative to Earth. If the
spaceship has a length of 10 meters, how will it appear as observed from the
Earth?
A. 8.66 meters C. 5.00 meters
B. 7.50 meters D. 7.07 meters

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TRY THIS!
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. A

DO THIS. Who is telling the truth!

Both of them is correct. Motion is relative to the frame of reference of the observer.
DO THIS! Einstein Wanna Be!
Observer OE will perceive the event to happen simultaneously. On the other hand,
observer OT who is seated on the train will perceive lightning striking the front first than the
rear end. This is thoroughly explained in Keep This in Mind part.
Apply What You Have Learned
A. Thumbs Up for Einstein
1, 3 & 4
B. Problem Solving
1. 1.65 kilometers
2. The astronaut is 28.7 or about 29 yrs of age
Age of twin brother on Earth = 20 yrs + 20 years = 40 years
Age of astronaut = 20 yrs + 8.7 or 9 yrs = about 29 years
He is around11 yrs younger than his twin brother.
3. 11.55 grams
4. 1s + 1.89 x 10-10 s
5. 2.20 µs

REINFORCEMENT

Relativity Made Simple

Answers may vary.
Example answer “To a man who is very busy, time flies; but to an idle man, time may
seem ages.

GPS

Time dilation is experienced by GPS, though it runs much slower than the speed of light. It
experiences a time delay of 4 microseconds every day. It’s good however that GPS was
programmed to account this time delays so it can still locate your position accurately. If not,
after a day, your GPS will be locating 8 km away from your actual location and you’ll get lost.
OLD TV (With Cathode Ray Tubes)

Old television has a cathode ray tube that accelerates electrons and fires them behind
a screen with a coating that gives out light when hit by electrons. These electrons are moving
at roughly a third of the speed of light. This means that engineers had to account for length
contraction when designing the magnets that directed the electrons to form an image on the

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screen. Without accounting for these effects, the electron beam’s aim would be off and create
unintelligible images.

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

1. D 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. A

“Mass Increase”
OleMissQuarkNet.https://www.phy.olemiss.edu/HEP/QuarkNet/mass.html (accessed August
10, 2020)
OpenStax “Time Dilation” phys.libretexts.org.
https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Book%3A_University_Physics_(O
penStax)/Map%3A_University_Physics_III_-
_Optics_and_Modern_Physics_(OpenStax)/05%3A__Relativity/5.04%3A_Time_Dilation
(accessed August 9, 2020)
OpenStax “Length Dilation” phys.libretexts.org.
https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Book%3A_University_Physics_(O
penStax)/Map%3A_University_Physics_III_-
_Optics_and_Modern_Physics_(OpenStax)/05%3A__Relativity/5.05%3A_Length_Contractio
n (accessed August 9, 2020)
Waldrop, Mitch. “Einstein’s Relativity Explained in 4 Simple Steps”
NationalGeographic.com.https://www.google.com/amp/s/api.nationalgeographic.com/distribu
tion/public/amp/news/2017/05/einstein-relativity-thought-experiment-train-lightning-genius
(accessed August 9, 2020)

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