12

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Guided Learning Activity Kit
Quarter 2- Week 5
English – Grade 12
Guided Learning Activity Kit
Postulates of Special Relativity and Time Dilation
Quarter 2- Week 5

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Guided Learning Activity Kit Development Team

Writers: Moises D. Abellera, Jr.

Augusto Farinas
Editor: Euman F. Parong EdD
Reviewers: Moises D. Abellera Jr.
Jonalyn B. Lopez
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 POSTULATES OF SPECIAL RELATIVITY
AND TIME DILATION

Introduction

Have you heard about an experiment

conducted by NASA to their twin astronauts Mark
and Scott Kelly? Mark a retired astronaut stayed
on earth while his younger brother Scott spend
340 days in the ISS. Researchers and medical
institutions studied and compared the effects of
living on earth and in outer space and found out
that Scott ages faster biologically. However,
according to Einstein’s theory of relativity, Scott
will age slower by 28 microsecond a day. So, travelling in space will make someone
age younger than those left on earth.
In this GLAK you will explore and explain Einstein’s Special theory of
Relativity. You will also learn to solve problems using the concept of Time dilation.

Learning Competency

Explain the consequences of the Postulates of Special Relativity (e.g. Time

dilation) (S11/12PS-IVi-j-70).

Objectives

At the end of this Guided Learning Activity Kit, you will be able to:
1. explain the Einstein’s postulates in Special Relativity;
2. derive the equation used in Time dilation; and
3. solve sample problems in Time dilation.

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 Review

Directions: In your own words, describe and explain the various light
phenomena that you have previously learned. Write your answers in your
answer sheets.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Discussion

Einstein’s Postulates of the Special Relativity

In 1905, Albert Einstein revolutionized the basis of modern physics through
his theory of special relativity. After completing his work in this theory, he devoted
a decade thinking what may occur if he included acceleration. With this, he formed
the foundation of his General Relativity and published in 1915. Einstein’s theory
of special relativity changed our concept of space and time.
In classical physics, you have learned from Newton’s first law of motion that
an inertial frame of reference is a reference frame in which a body at rest remains
at rest and a body in motion moves at a constant speed in a straight line unless
acted on by an outside force. There are two postulates which are involved in
special theory of relativity. These postulates explains how an observer sees or
measures certain properties of an object in an inertial frame of reference. The
place or position from which motion is observed and measured is called the
frame of reference (or reference frame).

Einsteins First Postulate: Principle of Relativity

Einstein’s first postulate of the special relativity states that: The laws of
physics are the same in every inertial frame of reference. If you ride a jeepey
at constant speed say 60 kilometer per hour in a straight path, and two of your
friends play catching with ball, you may not observed any effect of the jeep’s motion
to the ball. You will not also observed the effect of earth’s rotational speed of 1,674
km/hr or its revolution of 107,000 km/hr to the motion of ball inside the jeep.
Your friend may not catch objects at these speed and their motions do not affect
it.

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 Your observations of the motion of the ball in any circumstances are not
dependent to the movement of the jeep or some other objects. We could tell based
on the example that Newton’s laws of motion (as a law of Physics) are the same in
every inertial frame.
In Faraday’s ring induction experiment, same amount of induced current
is produced either by moving the bar magnet or the coil of wires toward each other.
This proves that at any reference frame, Faraday’s law is consistent. These
principle also applies to all laws of electromagnetism, optics, mechanics,
thermodynamics and other law of physics.

Einstein’s Second Postulate: Invariant c (speed of light)

At the age of 16, Einstein wondered, what will he observe if he travels along
beside a light beam? If this experiment is possible, this means riding some sort of
vehicle that travels at the speed of light and then observing a light beam moving
parallel to you. To classical physics, you should observed the light beam in
stationary. However, Einstein believes that the speed of light should be the same
or constant at any reference frame. Einstein’s concept in principle of relativity
should recognise that Maxwell’s equations are valid in all inertial frames.
Therefore, the speed of light in vacuum should also be the same in all frames and
in all directions. This was the second postulate in his special theory of relativity:
The speed of light in free space has the same measured value for all observers,
regardless of the motion of the source or the motion of the observer; that is, the
speed of light is a constant.
The derivation of Maxwell’s equation shows the computed speed of light
including electromagnetic waves/radiation travelling in a vacuum as 299,792,458
meters per second or approximate value of c = 3.0 x108 m/s. This value is constant
at any reference frame.

Time Dilation
Time experienced by moving objects seems to
slow down. Time if measured depends on the relative
motion of an observer and the object being observed.
An astronaut fixing the ISS will experience a time
interval of event t0 (proper time) in the spacecraft.
Someone at NASA stationed on
earth monitoring his activity will
observe a time interval with longer duration known as relative
time t. This slowing down of time for a moving object as
measured by those who see it moving is called time dilation.

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 Let us consider a beam of light bouncing on a pair of
parallel mirrors. With a fixed distance between the two
mirrors and a perpendicular path of bouncing, light will
make equal time interval as it travels back-and-forth. If this
set-up is placed inside a spaceship travelling in deep space. An astronaut inside
the ship will also observed the light beam reflecting up and down the mirrors.
Even if the person travels in very high speed, say 0.5c (half the speed of light), no
unusual effect happens as if the spaceship is at rest.
Now, consider an observer on earth looking at the spacecraft through a
telescope. He will not view a simple up-and-down motion of beam of light but a
diagonal path as shown in the figure below. From the earth’s frame of reference,
the light beam travels a longer distance compared to the time reference inside the
spacecraft.

This means that longer distance requires more time to

attain the constant speed of light as stated by Einstein’s
second postulate. Using the formula for the speed of light: c
= d/t, we may equate the two conditions.
𝑑𝑑𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑒
= = 𝑐𝑐
𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒
Where: ds = distance travelled by the light inside the spacecraft
de = distance travelled by the light as observed on earth
ts = time elapsed observed inside the spacecraft
te = time elapsed as observed on earth

All clocks will run slower in a moving object compare when at rest. Time
dilation only depends on the nature of time itself. Using simple geometry and
algebra, an equation was derived based on the relationship of different frames of
reference in spacetime.
𝑡𝑡0
𝑡𝑡 =
2
�1 − 𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐
The proper time t0 is in the frame of reference moving with the clock and
the relative time t measured by viewing the same clock in another frame of
reference. In our previous example, t is time observed by the man on earth
through his telescope while t0 is experienced by the astronaut inside his
spacecraft.

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Sample Problem 1

Maya-1, our country’s first nanosatellite flew back into

earth’s atmosphere on November 23, 2020. If it travelled the
earth’s lower orbit in 6 months (15.5 x106 s) with a speed of
7.8x103 m/s.
What is the relativistic time observed on earth due to time
dilation?

Solution
a. Given: v = 7.8 x103 m/s
c = 3.0 x108 m/s (constant)
t0 = 15.5 x106 s
b. Formula:
𝑡𝑡0
𝑡𝑡 = 2
�1−𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐
c. Computation:
15.5 𝑥𝑥106 𝑠𝑠
𝑡𝑡 = 7.8 x103 m/s
�1−
3.0 x108 m/s
t= 1.000013(15.5x106s)
t= 15500201.5 s
d. Answer: The relative time observed on earth due to time dilation is
15500201.5 s. This means that Maya-1 journey is 201.5 seconds longer as
observed on earth.

Sample Problem 2
A newly acquired fighter plane Super Tucano A-29B
of the Philippine Airforce travels at a sustain speed of 540
km/h or 150 m/s. The pilot recorded that it travelled from
Batanes to Jolo in 3 hours. How much time does the trip
take as measured by an observer on the ground?

a. Given: v = 150 m/s

c = 3.0 x108 m/s (constant)
t0 = 3 hours
3600 𝑠𝑠
= 3 hour x = 10.8 x103 s
1ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜

b. Formula:
𝑡𝑡0
𝑡𝑡 = 2
�1−𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐

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c. Computation:
15.5 𝑥𝑥106 𝑠𝑠
𝑡𝑡 = 150 m/s
�1−
3.0 x108 m/s
t= 1.00000025(10.8x103s)
t=10800.0027 s
d. Answer: The relative time observed on the ground due to time dilation is
10800.0027 s. This means that Super Tucano travel time is 0.0027 seconds
longer as observed on the ground.

Activities

Guided Practice 1

Directions: Solve for the Lorentz factor and determine the relationship of speed of
an object, proper time t0 and relative time t. Do this activity on another sheet of
paper.
1
Lorentz factor = γ= 2
�1−𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐
where c is the speed of light = 3.0 x 108 m/s
Given (v) v2/c2 Lorentz factor γ
1. 0.1c 0.1c/1c = 0.1 1 1 1 1
γ = =
√1−0.1
= √0.9
= 0.95
2
�1−𝑣𝑣
𝑐𝑐2

γ = 1.05

2. 0c ? ?

3. 0.25 c ? ?

4. 0.5 c ? ?

5. 0.75c ? ?

6. 1c ? ?

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NOTE: Sample computation using 0.1c as v means that the speed of the object is
10% that of the speed of light. 0c means object at rest, 0.5c is half the speed of
light and 1c or c means the object is moving at the speed of light.

1 𝑡𝑡0
We substitute γ= 2
to equation 𝑡𝑡 = 2
�1−𝑣𝑣2 �1−𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐
𝑐𝑐
We derived,
t = γt0

Given t0 = 10 seconds and γ = 1.05 (at v=0.1c)

At v = 0.1c, we computed;
t = γt0 = (1.05)(10s) = 10.5s
Complete the table
Lorentz difference
v t0 t
factor γ (t-t0) Observation
An object moving at 0.1c
0.1c 1.05 10s 10.5 0.5 will be observed 0.5
longer.

0c 10s

0.25c 10s

0.5c 10s

0.75c 10s

1c 10s

What happens to Lorentz factor when the speed of an object is increased?

What about the relativistic time t?

Speed we observed around us everyday are too small compare to the speed of
light c. What can we observe at v=0c?

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Guided Practice 2
Directions: Solve the following time dilation problem by using the step-by-step process
given below. Do this activity on another sheet of paper.

Problem: Philippines’ Maya-1 was launched to space on June 2018,

via the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket at Cape Canaveral in Florida,
United States as part of the SpaceX CRS-15 Commercial Resupply
Service mission. During the launch, Falcon 9 requires an escape
velocity of 1.1 x104 m/s to be able to exit the earth’s gravity. What is
the relativistic time observed on earth compare to the 5 seconds time
on the astronaut’s clock aboard the spacecraft with this velocity?

a. Given: v = (1)
c = (2)
t0 = (3)
b. Formula:
(4)
𝑡𝑡 = 2
�1−𝑣𝑣2
𝑐𝑐
c. Computation:
(5)
𝑡𝑡 = (5) m/s
�1−
3.0 x108 m/s
t= (7) x (5s)
t= (8) s

d. Answer: The relative time observed on earth due to time dilation is ***(9)*** s. This
means that Falcon 9 travel time is ***(10)*** seconds longer as observed on the
ground.

Independent Practice
Directions: Solve the following problems in time dilation. Show the given values,
formula, computation, and your final answer.

1. Philippine Airlines Boeing 777-300ER is powered by the

largest and most powerful commercial jet engine. It has the
world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner which allow it to
fly at a top speed of 900 kilometer per hour. It flies over Manila
to Seoul, South Korea with a distance of 2620 kilometer with the sustain top speed.
a) How much time does the trip take, as measured by an observer on the
ground?
b) By the pilot?

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 2. Juan boards a spaceship to travel to the nearest star Proxima
Centauri at a speed of 0.5c (half the speed of light). The star is
40.2 x1015 m (4.25 light years) away from earth.
a) How much time will his journey take as observed by Juan?
b) By his cousin Pedro on earth?

Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. What could be the speed of a light beam observed by two observers if one of them
travels with a speed of c along the light beam while the other one is just sitting in
a chair.
a. the speed of light beam will vary from the two different reference frames.
b. observed speed of light beam is the same in the two reference frames
c. the speed of light beam is constant in the second observer but not in the
first.
d. the light beam is stationary in the first observer.
2. What postulate explains your answer in item #1?
a. Reference frame b. First postulate c. Second postulate d. Time dilation
3. Jose flies a drone inside a plane. What will happen if the drone flies at maximum
speed of 70 km/h from the back seat towards the front seat if the plane travels
at a speed of 500km/h?
a. The drone will not reach the front seat.
b. The drone will hit the back of the plane.
c. The drone will reach the front seat.
d. The drone will fly in a steady position only.
4. What postulate explains your answer in item #3?
a. Reference frame c. Second postulate
b. First postulate d. Time dilation
5. In which case will the Lorentz factor be increased?
a. when the object’s speed changed from 0.25c to 0.75
b. when the object’s speed changed from 0.75c to 0.25
c. when the speed of light is changed to 2c.
d. none of these

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6. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE, based on special theory of
relativity?
a. The clock in a moving object is faster compares to a stationary object.
b. A stationary object has a slower clock compare with a fast-moving object.
c. The speed of light is constant at any reference frame.
d. none of these
7-8. The closest known galaxy to us is the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, at 236x1018
m. If your spaceship travels at a speed of 0.5c towards the nearest galaxy,
7) How much time will your journey take as you observed it?
8) By a person on earth?
9) How much slower is the travelled time (in percent) inside the spaceship?
10. Asteroid travels at a speed of 25x103 m/s. Hayabusa, a robotic spacecraft stayed
over the surface of an asteroid for half hour (1.8x103 s).
How much time is observed on earth during the process?

Reflection

Direction: Briefly describe the following terms or group of words based on your own
understanding.

1. Reference frame
________________________________________________________________________

2. Principle of relativity
________________________________________________________________________

3. Invariant c
________________________________________________________________________

4. Time dilation
________________________________________________________________________

5. Special theory of relativity

________________________________________________________________________

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 References

Hewitt, Paul G. 2015. Conceptual Physics. Amsterdam: Pearson.

Young, Hugh D, Roger A Freedman, A. Lewis Ford, Mark Waldo Zemansky,

and Francis Weston Sears. 2008. Sears And Zemansky's University
Physics. San Francisco [Calif.]: Pearson Addison-Wesley.

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Guided Practice 1:
Independent Practice:
0 1 1a. 10480.0044 s
0.25 1.16
0.5 1.41 2a. 26.8x107s
2b. 37.90x107s
0.75 2
1 infinite Assessment:
1. B
2. C
1 10s 0 same
3. C
1.16 11.6s 1.6s time at 0.25c 4. B
is slower by 5. A
1.6s 6. A
7. 157.3x1010s
1.41 14.1s 4.1s slower by 8. 244.7x1010s
4.1s 9. Time inside the spaceship is slower by
2 20s 10s slower by 10s 35.7%
Reflection:
infinite infinite infinite - Answer may vary.
Answers may vary
Practice Guided 2:
1. 1.1x104 m/s
2. 3x108m/s
3. 5s
4. t0
5. 5s
6. 1.1x104
7. 1.000018
8. 5.00009s
9. 5.00009s
10. 0.00009s
Key to Corrections
 Acknowledgment

The Schools Division of Zambales would like to express its heartfelt

gratitude to the following, who in one way or the other, have contributed to
the successful preparation, development, quality assurance, printing, and
distribution of the Quarter 2 Guided Learning Activity Kits (GLAKs) in all
learning areas across grade levels as a response to providing the learners with
developmentally-appropriate, contextualized and simplified learning
resources with most essential learning competencies (MELCs)-based activities
anchored on the principles of guided learning and explicit instruction:
First, the Learning Resources (LR) Development Team composed of the
writers and graphic artists for devoting much of their time and exhausting
their best efforts to produce these indispensable learning kits used for the
implementation of learning delivery modalities.
Second, the content editors, language reviewers, and layout evaluators
making up the Division Quality Assurance Team (DQAT) for having carefully
evaluated all GLAKs to ensure quality and compliance to DepEd standards;
Third, the Provincial Government of Zambales, for unceasingly
extending its financial assistance to augment the funds for the printing of
these learning resources for use by learners and parents at home;
Fourth, the teacher-advisers and subject teachers, in close
coordination with the school heads, for their weekly distribution and retrieval
of the GLAKs and for their frequent monitoring of the learners’ progress
through various means; and
Finally, the parents and other home learning facilitators for giving the
learners the needed guidance and support for them to possibly accomplish
the tasks and for gradually helping them become independent learners.
To deliver learning continuity in this challenging circumstance would
not be possible without your collective effort and strong commitment to
serving our Zambaleño learners.

Again, our sincerest thanks!

The Management Team

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