Introducing Frames of
Reference
Session 4
Introducing the idea
Different observations in different reference frames will
vary… some examples include the elevator shown last
week or the diagram here
How does this effect energy transfer
calculations
Introducing the postulates of special relativity
• The laws of physics must be the same in all inertial reference frames
• The speed of light is the same in all reference frames
• Gravity is introduced in general relativity but it is possible to look at
accelerating frames
Minkowski
Space-time diagrams
• Space time diagrams