Saturday, February 11, 2006

Galilean transformation - definition

Definition: A Galilean Transformation takes one (in classical physics) from one frame of reference to another frame of reference moving (with a constant velocity) relative to the first, perhaps also with a different definition of the origin of time and position.

Eg x-> x`=x+vt-x`0

and t->t`=t-t`0

The laws of classical mechanics are required to remain unchanged under this transformation. This principle was realized by Galileo, after whom they are named.

However, Maxwell’s equations of Electromagnetism did not satisfy the Galilean transformation, inspiring the Lorentz Transform and special theory of relativity.

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