A simple derivation of the Lorentz transformation and of the related velocity and acceleration formulae
Abstract
The Lorentz transformation is entirely derived from length contraction, itself established through the known light-clock thought experiment . This makes the derivation accessible to beginning students once Eintein's two postulates have been admitted. The formula derived for the space part of the general rotation-free Lorentz transformation is very compact and allows for an easy derivation of the velocity and acceleration transformations. A possibly new and very simple relation is found between proper acceleration and acceleration in an inertial frame.
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