- #1
McSeb
- 2
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Hi, I am trying to wrap my brain around special relativity equations but I'm struggling with the math. I am a computer programmer comfortable with the algebra and but never studied calculus or physics.
Say I am already traveling at velocity "v" where "v" is approaching the speed of light. I then, over a period of observer time "t", accelerate at a constant rate of "a". How do I then calculate the distance "d" I traveled over the period of time "t" (since I started accelerating)? Also how do I calculate my subjective time "T" that elapsed over time "t"?
I understand that if my velocity remains constant then:
T = t * √(1 - (v2 / c2))
but how does the acceleration affect my subjective time? I found another equation:
T = (c / a) * arsinh(at / c)
Can I simply add them together? I would assume not due to special relativity. How do I combine the formulas?
I also understand that if I were accelerating without any existing velocity:
d = (c2 / a) * (√(1 + (at / c)2) - 1)
but shouldn't my existing velocity be taken into consideration when calculating the distance that I cover? I don't see "v" anywhere in that equation. How to I add it?
Also can I just make "a" negative and run it through the formulas again afterwards to decelerate?
Say I am already traveling at velocity "v" where "v" is approaching the speed of light. I then, over a period of observer time "t", accelerate at a constant rate of "a". How do I then calculate the distance "d" I traveled over the period of time "t" (since I started accelerating)? Also how do I calculate my subjective time "T" that elapsed over time "t"?
I understand that if my velocity remains constant then:
T = t * √(1 - (v2 / c2))
but how does the acceleration affect my subjective time? I found another equation:
T = (c / a) * arsinh(at / c)
Can I simply add them together? I would assume not due to special relativity. How do I combine the formulas?
I also understand that if I were accelerating without any existing velocity:
d = (c2 / a) * (√(1 + (at / c)2) - 1)
but shouldn't my existing velocity be taken into consideration when calculating the distance that I cover? I don't see "v" anywhere in that equation. How to I add it?
Also can I just make "a" negative and run it through the formulas again afterwards to decelerate?