Energy-Momentum in Different Frames

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to help upper division undergraduate students compute relativistic energy and momentum in different reference frames.
2. Students work in small groups and practice using 4-momentum and spacetime diagrams to determine relativistic energy and momentum in different reference frames.
3. The entire class wrap-up discussion summarizes group findings, offering students a geometric view of relativistic kinematics.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

• Provides practice in converting 4-momentum between reference frames.
• Provides practice in using spacetime diagrams.

Can also be done as a SWBQ.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

Student Handouts

rfeframeshand.pdf