Individual observers describe physics using physical quantities defined with respect to their own reference frame, such as the relative velocity of an object (compared to that of the observer). Yet the physics itself is independent of the reference frame used to describe it. This key idea already had a substantial impact on Newtonian physics, but its most famous consequence is that it leads to Einstein's theory of special relativity. This course considers both of these aspects.

After a brief review of inertial frames in Newtonian physics, physics on a rotating Earth is described in terms of apparent centrifugal and Coriolis forces due to the use of rotating reference frames. The heart of the course is to then extend the use of multiple frames of reference from the Newtonian framework to Einstein's special theory of relativity. After first contrasting Galilean and Lorentz transformations, the underlying geometric ideas are emphasized and used to resolve the standard paradoxes. Finally, the beautiful unification of electricity and magnetism provided by special relativity is presented.

• For students to master the use of multiple reference frames to analyze problems in both Newtonian mechanics and special relativity.
• For students to understand that physics is independent of the reference frame used to analyze such problems.
• For students to develop conceptual and geometric understanding of the effects of the Earth's rotation in Newtonian mechanics.
• For students to develop conceptual and geometric understanding of the unification of space and time given by special relativity.
• For students to develop conceptual and geometric understanding of the unification of energy and momentum given by special relativity.
• For students to develop familiarity with the unification of electricity and magnetism given by special relativity.

• Course Homepage Spring 2008
• Course Homepage Spring 2010 (Coriolis first)
• Course Homepage Spring 2011 (SR first)

• All activities for Reference Frames
  • Rotating Frames activities
  • Special Relativity activities
• All small whiteboard questions for Reference Frames
  (What are SWBQs?)