Relativistic velocity transformation
With S′ moving at v along x, a particle's velocities obey u′_x=(u_x−v)/(1−vu_x/c²) and u′_y,z=u_y,z/[γ_v(1−vu_x/c²)].
Key knowledge
With S′ moving at v along x, a particle's velocities obey u′_x=(u_x−v)/(1−vu_x/c²) and u′_y,z=u_y,z/[γ_v(1−vu_x/c²)]. These preserve the vacuum-light speed and keep transformed massive speeds below c.
Values and equations
u′_x=(u_x−v)/(1−vu_x/c²); u′_y,z=u_y,z/[γ_v(1−vu_x/c²)]
- u_i,u′_i,v,c
- Velocity components, boost and light speed m s⁻¹
- γ_v
- Dimensionless boost Lorentz factor
Conditions and scope
- Inertial standard-configuration boost, |v|<c, differentiation along the same particle worldline.
- The two transverse components also change; scalar Galilean addition is only the low-speed limit.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Classical Electromagnetism (2014): Transformation of velocities: Equations 1649–1658: longitudinal/transverse transformation and light-speed invariance.
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