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Vectorial Composition of Velocities in Relativity
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2022
Extract
The Einstein law of velocity addition is well-known. Consider three inertial reference frames S, K, and M, with X axes parallel in the same sense. Let K have velocity v1 along the X axis of S, and M have velocity v2 along the X axis of K. Then, according to the Einstein formula, the velocity v3 of M along the X axis of S is
If v2 is the velocity of an object at rest in M as measured by an observer in K, then v3 is the velocity of the same object as measured by an observer in S. The formula is valid for a change in reference frame of the observer.
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- Research Article
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- Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1955
References
1 M. von Laue, Die Relativitätstheorie, Vol. I, 5th Edition, Vieweg & Sohn, Braunschweig (1952), pp. 40–41.
2 R. C. Tolman, The Theory of the Relativity of Motion, University of California Press, Berkeley (1917), p. 36.
3 A. Grünbaum, Philosophy of Science, 21, 252 (1954).
4 A. Grünbaum, Philosophy of Science, 32, 53 (1955).
5 B. Leaf, The Physical Review, 90, 1092 (1953).
6 Unfortunately, Grünbaum commits this error at the top of p. 252 of his paper cited earlier3 when he uses vector composition to determine the time interval recorded by his clock U 2 in inertial frame K during the motion of U 3 from B to A in S. He reports the interval 
instead of 
. Contrary to his result, both of his clocks U 3 and U β should read the same time, 
, upon their arrival at A.
7 B. Leaf, Philosophy of Science, 22, 45 (1955).