Relativity's key concept: Lorentz gamma

Einstein’s theory of special relativity is one of the most counterintuitive ideas in physics, for instance, moving clocks record time differently than stationary ones. Central to all of the equations of relativity is the Lorentz factor, also known as gamma. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln not only shows you a simple way to derive gamma, he also tells you its physical significance.

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[ugluwuglu]

Count me as another vote for these slightly more 'in depth' videos.

[johnpluta]

Dr. Lincoln, I just want to say how much I've enjoyed your videos. I had plenty of Calculus, Physics and Chemistry in college, but your videos brought a lot of it back to me . You made them easy for folks to understand Cosmology.

[marc-andrebrunet]

I love the way you put humour in your physic video! ! It help me understand. Thank you professor

[dhertsens]

Your smile in the car is priceless. And as usual, a very clear and interesting video.

[PABITRABADHUK]

Brilliant. I want more and more rigorous topics to be taken up gradually.

[xXZtesTXx]

If you explain ecuations, then it's great...ecuations are scary/boring when you don't know where they come from but this...this is sweet!

[aldee]

Been struggling to understand time dilation for long. This video really helps me learn it piece by piece! Great work.

[venturarodriguezvallejo]

A neccesary explanation.
Maybe (just "maybe") it had been more accurate to expose clearly that Einstein's two postulates were far from arbitrary.
Actually, Einstein found off the way to reconcile the apparent discordance between two fundamental priinciples in Physics: the Galilean Principle of Relativity, that dictates the Laws of Physics are equal for any inertial observer, and the odd results of more modern Maxwell's Theory of Electromagnetism, that dictates the speed of light is equal for any inertial observer.
"De facto", Einstein was able to understand, taking into account the Galilean principle, the speed of light was not a mere underrated phaenomon, but a Law of Physics in itself, so any inertial observer WOLD HAVE TO measure the same speed for a light beam. Then, he assumed the Lorentz-Fitzgerald factor (both thought it was a phenomenon worthy of a further "classic" explanation) as the mathematical expression for unifying two only apparent irreconcilable principles.

[paraguaspato]

This is the most adorable physics channel on YouTube.

[hughkelly]

It's great to see the equations and I do enjoy your presentations. One catch about YouTube feed is that when you mention your next video I can't necessarily find it.

[aiopqwe]

you make more sense than any physics video I have watched . you are one of the best physics teacher the internet, you make relativity sounds so easy I love your videos, and more math please !

[betaneptune]

I like that slick way with the triangle you used to calculate time dilation. The typical way is much longer and more complicated! Bravo!

[gwyllymsuter]

Equations are wonderful when a context is applied to the situation. Whilst there are many who desire nothing more than a journey through algebraic constructs there are others who have different learning mechanisms. My best suggestion is to keep a healthy balance

[Eric-Marsh]

This is very helpful. I don't have much of a math background so I'm starting from scratch but I've been trying to visualize what Einstein's theories mean and showing the math in an easy to understand manner is beneficial.

I hope to ramp up to where I can eventually understand the more complex math.

[omsingharjit]

You are not only physicist
But also a great actor, comedian and teacher

[joeperch]

Dr. Lincoln,
Please keep doing what you are doing. I really love these videos. I can even handle the equations... mostly. :)
Thank you so much.

[Sean_Coyne]

I felt that a frame of reference explanation was needed so asked for it, plus some equations, and I received. Thanks Santa!

[mahoneytechnologies]

Keep the equations in your Videos, that is how we learn, the more see the equations and how they are derived the more the equations will become a common tool that we will feel lost without!

[mwierdl]

As all of these vids, this is great. One consistency remark: in some other vids, like the one on time dilation, the moving object moves from right to left, so in the negative direction for the "standing" observer, while in this video, it moves from left to right, so in the positive direction for the standing observer.

[carterjames]

Don is the exact type of person I would expect to own a Corvette, and it made the explanation 10 times better