SHS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Quarter 2 – Week 6
Module 6 - Newtonian Mechanics and
Maxwell's Electromagnetic Theory
Physical Science
Grade 11/12 Quarter 2 - Module 6 - Newtonian Mechanics and Maxwell's
Electromagnetic Theory
First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: SHEMA L. GUIAD, T-I

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, PhD, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, PhD, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D., EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

 Physical Science
Quarter 2 – Week 6
Module 6 - Newtonian
Mechanics and Maxwell's
Electromagnetic Theory
 Target

Relativity is one of the most famous scientific theories of the 20th

century, but how well does it explain the things we see in our daily lives?
How do the postulates of special relativity explain the behavior of matter
moving at a speed approaching the speed of light?

In your previous lesson, you have learned about the different light
phenomena and how Hertz produced radio pulses.

This module will provide you with information and activities that
will help you understand Special Relativity and the postulates of Special
Relativity.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain how special relativity resolved the conflict between Newtonian

mechanics and Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory (S11/12PS-IVi-j-69); and
2. explain the consequences of the postulates of Special Relativity (e.g., relativity
of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, mass energy equivalence,
and cosmic limit) (S11/12PS-IVi-j-70)

Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Answer
the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet of paper.

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 Jumpstart

For you to understand the lesson well, do the following activity.

Have fun and good luck!

Activity: Concepts in a Box!

Direction: Complete the boxes by supplying the right words. Choose your answer
from the given choices found in the box below.

1. Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Theory

have conflicting ideas solved by

2.
is divided to

deals with Special Relativity 3. deals with

4. is backed up by is backed up by 5.

Principle of
6. 7. equivalence

result in
8.
9.

10.
11.
12.

General relativity Einstein’s relativity Newtonian Mechanics

Time dilation Length contraction Mass - energy equivalence
Cosmic speed limit Principle of relativity
Accelerated frames of reference Inertial frames of reference
Constancy of the speed of light Relativity of simultaneity

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 Discover

Newtonian mechanics also known as classical mechanics has concepts that

do not entirely agree with all known theories in Physics like Maxwell’s
electromagnetic theory but when Einstein presented his theory of special relativity,
the conflict between these two great ideas was resolved.

How did theory of special relativity resolve this conflict?

Newtonian or classical mechanics discusses the everyday motion of the objects

of normal size around us including the force that causes these motions. The concepts
under Newtonian mechanics are mainly based on ideas of Newton about motion
which correctly describes the state of motion of an object whether at rest or moving
in a straight path and the forces that maintain and can cause changes in the body’s
states of motion.

Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory consists of four formulas gathered from the

different works of Faraday and other physicists that unites all the concepts of
electricity and magnetism and had the findings that electric and magnetic fields
spread as waves. In 1886, Hertz proved that these waves really exist and the
propagation speed of these waves can be calculated using the formula:

Maxwell observed that the value of the above expression is equivalent to the
speed of light c (3.0 x 108 m/s) which implies that speed of light c must also be
constant. This is where the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell’s
theory starts. If we consider a moving object of speed 100 m/s and placed a switched-
on flashlight in it, according to Newtonian mechanics the speed of the light coming
from the flashlight in this scenario would be 100 m/s + c and this contradicts what
Maxwell’s theory tells that speed of light is a constant value. Which is true between
these two concepts?

The theory of special relativity proposed by Einstein in 1905 explains the

problems that involve motion of frames of reference at constant linear velocity with
respect to one another and describes the motion of particles in an inertial frame of
reference with speeds ranging from zero to a value close to the speed of light in
vacuum. This theory is based on two postulates: (1) the laws of Physics are the same
in all inertial frames of reference moving with constant velocity relative to one another
(principle of relativity) and (2) the speed of light is the same in all inertial frames of

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reference (constancy of the speed of light). The second postulate clearly tells that
Maxwell’s idea is correct but does mean Newtonian mechanics is wrong? Not totally,
but the postulates of Einstein tell us that Newtonian mechanics has limitations in
terms of its application. If we consider moving objects with speed very small
compared to the speed of light, Newtonian mechanics applies like the speeds of a
flying ball and running car but if we consider speeds that is close to the speed of light
a new concept must be included in order to supply the limit of Newtonian mechanics
and that is the Lorentz transformation the counterpart of the Galilean transformation
of the Newtonian mechanics.

Consequences of Special Relativity

Relativity of Simultaneity

The relativity of simultaneity is the concept that simultaneity–whether two

events occur at the same time–is not absolute, but depends on the observer’s frame
of reference.

According to the theory of special relativity, it is impossible to say in an

absolute sense whether two distinct events occur at the same time if those events
are separated in space, such as a car crash in London and another in New York. The
question of whether the events are simultaneous is relative: in some reference frames
the two accidents may happen at the same time, in other frames (in a different state
of motion relative to the events) the crash in London may occur first, and still in other
frames, the New York crash may occur first. If the two events are causally connected
(“event A causes event B”), then the relativity of simultaneity preserves the causal
order (i.e. “event A causes event B” in all frames of reference).

If we imagine one reference frame assigns precisely the same time to two
events that are at different points in space, a reference frame that is moving relative
to the first will generally assign different times to the two events. This is illustrated
in the ladder paradox, a thought experiment which uses the example of a ladder
moving at high speed through a garage.

A mathematical form of the relativity of simultaneity (“local time”) was

introduced by Hendrik Lorentz in 1892, and physically interpreted (to first order in
v/c) as the result of a synchronization using light signals by Henri Poincaré in 1900.
However, both Lorentz and Poincaré based their conceptions on the aether as a
preferred but undetectable frame of reference, and continued to distinguish between
“true time” (in the aether) and “apparent” times for moving observers.

In 1905, Albert Einstein abandoned the (classical) aether and emphasized the
significance of relativity of simultaneity to our understanding of space and time. He
deduced the failure of absolute simultaneity from two stated assumptions: 1) the
principle of relativity–the equivalence of inertial frames, such that the laws of physics
apply equally in all inertial coordinate systems; 2) the constancy of the speed of light
detected in empty space, independent of the relative motion of its source.

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 Observer Standing on the Platform: Reference frame of an observer standing on
the platform (length contraction not depicted).

Observer Onboard the Train: The train-and-platform experiment from the reference
frame of an observer onboard the train.

Time Dilation

One of the effects of special relativity is time dilation, which is the difference
of time interval between two events measured by an observer in a stationary frame
and by another observer in a moving frame. The dilated time interval is longer than
the proper time interval and is given the symbol t’. The equation for time dilation is
given by:

where: t’ = time measured from an observer outside the frame of reference.

t = time measured from an observer inside the frame of reference.
v = speed of the object
c = speed of light

The famous example of time dilation is the twin paradox as seen in the sample
problem.

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Sample Problem:

John left for a round trip to a distant star in a spaceship at a speed of 0.95 c
relative to Earth. According to those manning the control station on Earth, the trip
took 15 years. How long was the round-trip according to a clock on board the
spaceship? Suppose John had a twin brother Jose. How old would they be upon
John’s return if John was 32 years old when he left for a trip?

Given: v = 0.95 c t’ = 15 years

Solution:
The event in this example is the round-trip to a distant star. Rearranging the
equation and substituting the given values to solve for proper time interval,

= 4.68 years or 4.7 years

John’s age = 32 + 4.7 = 36.7 years old
Jose’s age = 32 + 15 = 47 years old

Length Contraction

Another consequence of special relativity is that an object moving at a speed

near the speed of light experiences length contraction, as measured or seen by
someone in a reference frame that is moving with the object. The contracted length
is given by:

where: L = contracted length

L0 = proper length (i.e., the length measured by the observer at rest with the
object)
v = the speed of the moving frame relative to a fixed frame
c = the speed of light

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Sample Problem:

A spaceship travelling at 0.5c relative to Earth is 45 m long and 62 m wide as

measured by its crew. What are the dimensions of the spaceship as measured by the
mission control on Earth? The spaceship is traveling parallel to its length.

Given: The proper dimensions of the spaceship are those determined by the crew.

L0 = 45 m W0 = 62 m v = 0.5c

Solution:
There is no contraction as far as the width is concerned because it is not along
the direction of motion. Therefore, the width of the spaceship as measured by the
mission control on Earth (W) is also 62 m. there will only be contraction along its
length. Solving for L,

= 39 m

Mass – Energy Equivalence

A major consequence of special relativity is the mass-energy equivalence given

by the famous equation:
E = mc2

This means that mass and energy are equivalent. A gain (or loss) in mass maybe
considered a loss (or gain) in energy. This is true for nuclear reactions, which may
be classified into nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion is a process in
which a nucleus combines with another nucleus while nuclear fission is the process
in which a large nucleus breaks into smaller nuclei, accompanied by the emission of
neutrons and a large amount of energy. An example of fission reaction is the decay
of uranium - 235. uranium – 235 interacts with neutrons, an unstable uranium –
235 is formed which immediately disintegrates into barium and krypton.

10
Cosmic Speed Limit

The speed of light is widely known to be the absolute pinnacle of movement.

When Albert Einstein first entwined mass and energy in his Theory of Relativity, it
basically established the Universe’s speed limit at 299,792 kilometers per second
(186,282 miles per second).

According to Einstein, nothing in the Universe that has mass could either match,
or move faster than, light. But that doesn’t mean that nothing can move faster than
light. In truth, physicists have discovered a number of phenomena that have the ability
to match, and actually beat (in specific respects), the speed of light. And there are several
theoretical models that posit specific ways that the speed of light could be surpassed.

Explore

To master and strengthen the basic concepts you have

learned from this lesson here is an enrichment
activity for you to work on.

Enrichment Activity: Think Like Einstein!

Direction: On the following problems, you'll have to think like Einstein. You'll have
to think about the same things Einstein had to think about to resolve the problem.
Maybe you've heard the recent reports about how physically unique Einstein's brain
was. Don't panic—you won't need a superhuman brain to grasp the concepts
presented. And when you finish, not only will you understand the special theory, you
will have reasoned it out for yourself, just as Einstein did. Let’s begin!

1. A 35 -year-old astronaut traveling at a speed of 0.75c needs to cover 25 years

as measured by a clock on board the spaceship to make a round-trip to a
nearby star. How old would his twin brother be when he returns to Earth?
2. The length and diameter of a spacecraft as determined by the mission control
on Earth are 76 m and 23 m, respectively. The spacecraft moves at 0.7c
relative to Earth. What are its dimensions as measured by an astronaut on
board? The spacecraft is moving parallel to its length.

Excellent job! You have understood the lesson.

Are you now ready to summarize?

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 Deepen

Activity: Special Relativity in our Natural World!!!

Direction: Below are several instances of special relativity that we can see in our daily
lives. Select one example and explain how it is related to special relativity and its
consequences. You will be graded based on the rubrics below.

A. Electromagnets
B. Global Positioning System
C. Gold’s yellow color
D. Old Television
E. Mercury (liquid)
Rubric

4 3 2 1
This paper is clear This paper is The writer is Topic is not well-
and focused. It mostly beginning to defined and/or
holds the reader's focused, and define the topic, there are too
Ideas attention. Relevant has some even though many topics.
details and quotes good details development is
enrich the central and quotes. still basic or
theme. general.
The organization Paper (and The Sentences within
enhances and paragraphs) organizational paragraphs make
showcases the are mostly structure is sense, but the
central idea or organized, in strong enough to order of
theme. The order, order, and move the reader paragraphs does
Organization
structure of makes sense through the text not.
information is to the reader. without too much
compelling and confusion.
moves the reader
through the text.
The writing has an The writing The text hums The text seems
easy flow, rhythm, mostly flows, along with a choppy and is not
and cadence. and usually steady beat, but easy to read
Sentences are well invites oral tends to be more orally.
Sentence
built, with strong reading. businesslike than
Fluency
and varied musical, more
structure that mechanical than
invites expressive fluid.
oral reading.
The form and The format The writer's The writer's
presentation of the only has a few message is message is only
text enhances the mistakes and understandable understandable
ability for the is generally in this format. occasionally, and
Presentation reader to easy to read paper is messily
understand and and pleasing written.
connect with the to the eye.
message. It is
pleasing to the eye.

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 Gauge

Direction: Read carefully each item. Write only the letter of the best answer
for each test item. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

1. Which among the following resolves the conflict between Newtonian mechanics
and Maxwell's electromagnetic theory?
A. Theory of general relativity
B. Theory of special relativity
C. Law of universal gravitation
D. Law of conservation of energy

2. Einstein theory of special relativity is based on what two postulates? Choose all
that apply.

I. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference moving
with constant velocity relative to one another.
II. The laws of physics application change based on the condition of the
observer.
III. The speed of light is constant in all inertial frame of reference.
IV. The speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.

A. I only B. I and II C. II and IV D. I and III

3. Einstein theory of special relativity explains problems that involve frames of

reference moving with which of the following characteristics?
A. constant linear acceleration C. constant linear speed
B. constant linear velocity D. constant direction

4. In resolving the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell's

electromagnetic theory, what concepts of transformation was used?
A. Galelian transformation C. Lorentz transformation
B. Einstein transformation D. Maxwell transformation

5. Which of the following shows the conflict between Newtonian mechanics and
Maxwell's electromagnetic theory?
A. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light is constant.
B. Maxwell's electromagnetic theory tells that the speed of light is constant.
C. Newtonian mechanics tells that the speed of light depends on the speed of
the observer.
D. Maxwell's electromagnetic theory tells that the speed of light depends on
the speed of the observer.

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6. At what rate do the EM waves travel according to Maxwell's electromagnetic wave
theory?
A. 3.00 x 108ms-1 C. 3.00 x 10-8ms-1
B. 6.00 x 108 ms-1 D. 6.00 x 10-8 ms-1

7. In the equation E = mc2, what does “c” stand for?

A. Charge C. Conductance
B. Change in mass D. Speed of light

8. The faster an object is moving in relation to an observer, the ______ it will appear
to an observer.
A. It will appear the same regardless of speed
B. Slower
C. Shorter
D. Longer

9. Which of the following principles make up the theory of special relativity?

A. Principle of relativity and the principle of mass
B. Principle of mass and the principle of nuclear forces
C. Principle of relativity and the principle of the speed of light
D. Principle of nuclear forces and the principle of the speed of light
10. Suppose Joe is at rest and Moe is moving at almost the speed of light. Due to
length contraction, Joe sees Moe's starship as only five inches long. What does
Moe notice about his own starship?
A. It is shorter but no fatter. C. It appears to be normal to him.
B. It is both shorter and fatter. D. It is longer and more massive.

11. If you were to travel at a speed close to the speed of light, you would notice which
of the following?
A. Your mass has increased.
B. Your iPod plays music more slowly—everyone sounds like a baritone!
C. Your pulse rate has decreased. You would notice all of these effects.
D. You would notice none of these effects because you are in an inertial frame.

12. One of two identical twins become an astronaut, while the other becomes a real
estate broker. The astronaut embarks on high-speed space travel and is gone for
several years. Upon the astronaut's return, the two twins reunite and compare
their physical appearances. Which of the following will be the result?
A. The real estate broker has aged less.
B. The astronaut has aged less.
C. The astronaut aged more.
D. Both have aged the same.

13. According to special relativity, which of the following is NOT a dependent on the
observer speed?
A. Length C. Time
B. Energy D. Mass

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14. Which of the following is the strange consequences of special relativity?
A. Time can move backward.
B. Forces that are not real can be felt by some observers.
C. People moving at high speeds will feel crushed by length contraction.
D. Two events may appear simultaneous to one observer but not another.

15. A neutron passes by Earth at relativistic speed. Earth scientists observe the
process of the neutron decaying into a proton, an electron, and a neutrino.
Compared to the same type of process on Earth, which of the following would
earthbound observers would say in the moving neutron?
A. appears to happen at the same rate
B. appears to happen more slowly
C. appears to happen faster
D. no process in another reference frame can be observed

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 16
Jumpstart: (Activity: Concept in a Box)
1. Newtonian Mechanics
2. Einstein’s relativity
3. General relativity
4. Inertial frames of reference
5. Accelerated frames of reference
6. Constancy of the speed of light
7. Principle of relativity
8. Time dilation
9. Length contraction
10.Mass - energy equivalence
11.Cosmic speed limit
12. Relativity of simultaneity
Explore: (Activity: Think Like Einstein)
1. Given: v = 0.75c
t = 25 years
t’ = ?
Solution:
= 37.8 years or 38 years
His twin brother will be 73 years old
2. Given: L = 76 m
v = 0.7c
L0 = ?
Solution:
Gauge:
1. B 6. A 11. D
2. D 7. D 12. B
3. B 8. C 13. D
4. C 9. C 14. D
5. A 10. C 15. B
Answer Key
References

Printed Materials

Dasas, Melody D. and Villavert, Joam C. Exploring Life Through Science Series
(Learning Guide). Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016

Santiago, Karen S. and Silverio, Angelina A. Exploring Life Through Science

Series. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016

Links

Canoy, Warlito Z. Theory of Special Relativity. Retrieved on October 20, 2020

from https://www.facebook.com/notes/physical-science/91-theory-
of-special-relativity/3390893954260139/

Emspack, Jesse. 8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real
Life. Retrieved on October 20, 2020 from
https://www.livescience.com/58245-theory-of-relativity-inreal
life.html#:~:text=The%20theory%20explains%20the%20behavior,plan
et%20Mercury%20in%20its%20orbit.&text=The%20implications%20of
%20Einstein's%20most%20famous%20theory%20are%20profound

Rea, Ellen. "The Theory of Relativity and Applications: A Simple Introduction."

The Downtown Review. Vol. 5. Iss. 1 (2018).

Santos, Miguel. (2016). Traveling Faster Than Light? Four Phenomena That
Put the Cosmic Speed Limit to the Test. Retrieved on October 20, 2020
from https://futurism.com/faster-light-four-phenomena-beat-cosmic-
speed-limit

Consequences of Special Relativity. Retrieved on October 20, 2020 from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundlessphysics/chapter/cons
equences-of-special-relativity/

Physics: Theory of Relativity. Retrieved on October 20, 2020 from

https://www.ducksters.com/science/quiz/theory_of_relativity_questi
ons.php

PGS Physics. Retrieved on October 20, 2020 from

https://sites.google.com/a/perthgrammar.co.uk/physics/courses/hi
gher/our-dynamic-universe/15-special-relativity/153-time-dilation

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