Re: [Phys-l] how to prove relativity

[ludwik kowalski <kowalskil@mail.montclair.edu>]

On May 28, 2010, at 1:15 PM, Paul Lulai wrote:

> Hello.
> The note below was posted by a physics teacher on another list.  I
> thought some folks here might have some answers.
>
>
> Edited initial post
> ====================================
> > The teacher and his wife (PhD in experimental psychology) have been
> going back and forth for years about the
> > idea of special relativity, specifically time dilation.  She insists
> > that the ideas produced are ridiculous, can never be tested, etc.
> > When I point out the experimental evidence such as muons in the
> > atmosphere, difference in clocks moving at different speeds, and the
> > fact that GPS uses special relativity to help pinpoint location has
> > not helped to persuade her.  Does anyone know of any experiments that
> > could be easily interpreted by a non- physics person (She has never
> > taken a physics course and I have never taken a psychology course) to
> help convince her?
> > And finally are there any good definitions for time out there?
> >
> > Thanks

1) A classical physics course seems to be an essential prerequisite in  
this situation.

2)  The cyclotron energy limit argument can be very convincing, but  
only when a person knows how to explain a cyclotron.

No matter how large the radius of the iron core is,  the energy of  
accelerated particles cannot be increased above the limit imposed by  
special relativity. The only way to go above it is to adjust the  
magnitude of B or its  frequency.

Ludwik,