Relativistic mechanics

Relativistic mechanics describes motion and forces using special relativity. It accounts for effects such as time dilation and the increase of energy and momentum with speed.

Lorentz transformation: A coordinate transformation relating measurements of space and time between inertial frames in special relativity. It converts positions and times between the frames used to describe relativistic motion.
Special relativity: A theory of space, time, and physical laws in inertial frames, with the speed of light invariant. Relativistic mechanics is the theory's description of motion and forces.
Newtonian mechanics: The classical framework describing motion through Newton's laws and absolute time. Its momentum and energy formulas approximate relativistic ones when speed is small compared with c.
Particle accelerator: A device that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles to high energies. Its beams routinely reach speeds where classical momentum and energy fail.
Relativistic momentum: Momentum defined as the product of a particle’s relativistic energy and velocity divided by the speed of light squared. Its speed-dependent magnitude preserves momentum conservation across inertial frames.
Minkowski spacetime: The four-dimensional spacetime geometry used to represent events in special relativity. Its geometry unifies spatial and temporal measurements in relativistic dynamics.
Galilean transformation: A transformation between classical inertial frames that assumes universal time and additive velocities. It conflicts with the invariant speed of light assumed by relativistic mechanics.
Synchrotron radiation: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by charged particles accelerated along curved paths. Relativistic particle speeds concentrate this radiation into a narrow forward beam.
Relativistic energy: The total energy of a body in special relativity, including rest energy and kinetic energy. It links a body's motion to its invariant rest energy and momentum.
Invariant mass: A body's mass measured in its rest frame and unchanged by Lorentz transformations. It distinguishes intrinsic mass from quantities that vary with an observer's frame.

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