AP Physics Objectives

	Chapter 39: Special Relativity - Objectives
		State the principle of Newtonian relativity, and describe the Galilean coordinate and velocity transformations and their limitations.
		Discuss Einstein's two postulates of the special theory of relativity.
		Discuss the differences between the Galilean transformation and the Lorentz transformation, and significance of the Lorentz transformation equations within the framework of special relativity.
		Describe some consequences of the Lorentz transformation equations; specifically, the effects of time dilation and length contraction.
		Understand the idea of simultaneity, and the fact that simultaneity is not an absolute concept. That is, events which are simultaneous in one reference frame are not simultaneous when viewed from a second frame moving with respect to the first.
		State the correct relativistic expressions for the momentum, kinetic energy, and total energy of a particle.
		Discuss the principle of the energy-mass equivalence, and its impact in the field of nuclear physics.
		Discuss the Michelson-Morley experiment, its objectives, and the significance of its outcome.