Lecture 56: Conservation of Energy and Momentum in Special Relativity

In this video, I elucidate the application of conservation principles in special relativity through an in-depth analysis of an inelastic collision occurring aboard a moving train, as observed from the stationary platform frame of reference. Contrasting with Newtonian physics, where momentum conservation holds in both frames but energy conservation does not, I highlight the transformation to relativistic concepts. Classical kinetic energy gives way to relativistic mass-energy equivalence, while momentum is redefined in terms of relativistic energy. Through this exploration, viewers gain a nuanced understanding of how fundamental physical laws adapt and evolve within the framework of special relativity, shedding light on the profound interplay between energy, momentum, and the relativistic universe.