1995/12/06 by P. Fraundorf, Fraundorf, P.
Physics and Astronomy · #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Relativity and Gravitational Theory
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.gr-qc/9512012
openalex publication_date 1995/12/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
When introducing special relativity, an elegant connection to familiar rules governing Galilean constant acceleration can be made, by describing first the discovery at high speeds that the clocks (as well as odometers) of different travelers may proceed at different rates. One may then show how to parameterize any given interval of constant acceleration with \em either: Newtonian (low-velocity approximation) time, inertial relativistic (unaccelerated observer) time, or traveler proper (accelerated observer) time, by defining separate velocities for each of these three kinematics as well. Kinematic invariance remains intact for proper acceleration since m ao = dE/dx. This approach allows students to solve relativistic constant acceleration problems \em with the Newtonian equations! It also points up the self-contained and special nature of the accelerated-observer kinematic, with its frame-invariant time, 4-vector velocities which in traveler terms exceed Newtonian values and the speed of light, and of course relativistic momentum conservation.