Equations · equation
Lorentz Factor
Special Relativity · 1904
- Equation
- γ = 1/√(1 − v²/c²)
- Field
- Special Relativity
- Named After
- Hendrik Lorentz
- Symbols
- γ the stretch factor · v relative speed · c speed of light · equals 1 at rest, grows without bound as v approaches c
- Year
- 1904
Significance
The exchange rate of relativity: moving clocks run slow by γ, moving rulers shrink by γ, and kinetic energy diverges as v nears c — which is why nothing with mass reaches light speed. At everyday speeds γ is 1 to a dozen decimal places, which is why none of this is felt.
Referenced by
constant
equation
theory
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