A simple derivation of the Lorentz Transformations

Cesar Alberto Daz Hern andez

Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Aut onoma de Mexico

Abstract
In this paper we show a derivation for the Lorentz transformations that, due to its simplicity can
be use for didactic proposes in an undergraduate course of electromagnetism or special relativity,
so that students have a better understanding in this important topic in physics
1
I. INTRODUCTION
when two reference frames O and O

moves with constant velocity v along its common

xx

direction, an observer O will assign a set of spatial coordinates (x, y, z) and a time t

for a given event, while the O

observer will assign the spatial coordinates (x

, y

, z

) and the
time t

. The set of transformations that enable us to calculate the variables x, y, z and t in

terms of x

, y

, z

and t

are called the Lorentz transformations.

The Lorentz transformations are one of the mos important mathematical objects in the-
oretical physics, theyre use in various of important theories, including the electromagnetic
theory and the special theory of relativity, thats why it is important that a physics student
have a good understanding of them.
In the typical lectures on physics, the Lorentz transformations are introduce to students
in various ways, however, some of these are confuse and not very clear, making this topic a
dicult one. Considering this, we present a derivation of these equations using the hypothe-
sis of the invariance of the space-time interval ds = ds

and simple algebraic manipulations.

This derivation may be use by teachers in undergraduate courses to make this topic
simpler for students
II. LORENTZ TRANSFORMATIONS
We consider two frames O and O

in relative motion with velocity v along their common

xx

direction. For a given point event, an observer in O will assign the space coordinates
(x, y, z) and the time t, while an observer in O

will assign the space coordinates (x

, y

, z

)
and the time t

. We want to derive the set of transformations that enable us to calculate

the coordinates (x

, y

, z

) and the time t

in terms of the coordinates (x, y, z) and the time

t. Suppose that, at the instant the two origins of the frames coincide, a ash of light is
produced at the origin. Each observer see the light propagating with the same speed c in all
directions. In other words, with respect to his own frame, each observer must see the wave
front as a sphere centered on the corresponding origin with radius c times the associated
time. The equations of the wave fronts are
x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
c
2
t
2
=0 and x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
c
2
t
2
= 0 (1)
2
so that we must satisfy
x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
c
2
t
2
=x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
c
2
t
2
. (2)
We assume that the coordinates transverse to the motion are invariant
y

=y, (3)
z

=z. (4)
Therefore Eq. (2) becomes
x
2
c
2
t
2
=x
2
c
2
t
2
, (5)
or equivalently
(x

ct

)(x

+ct

)=(xct)(x+ct) (6)
Now there is only one relative speed v. Therefore, from the point of view of O the origin O

must have the coordinate x = vt, that is,

If x

=0 then x=vt. (7)

For the involved space time transformations we can write
(x

ct

)=A(xct), (8)
(x

+ct

)=A
1
(x+ct), (9)
where A can be determined by dividing Eq. (8) by Eq. (9) and using Eq. (7). After this
process, we obtain 1 =A
2
(vt ct)/(vt + ct). Hence
A=
(1 + v/c)
1/2
(1 v/c)
1/2
. (10)
The quantity A is shown to satisfy
A + A
1
=2 and A A
1
=2v/c (11)
where

1

1v
2
/c
2
. (12)
3
From combining Eqs. (11) we obtain
A=(1 + v/c) and A
1
=(1 v/c) (13)
We add Eqs. (8) and (9) and use Eqs. (13) to obtain
2x

=(1 + v/c)(x ct) +(1 v/c)(x + ct). (14)

After performing the specied algebra, Eq. (14) becomes
x

=(x vt). (15)

We subtract Eqs. (8) and (9) and use Eqs. (13) to obtain
2t

=(1 + v/c)(x ct) (1 v/c)(x + ct), (16)

which implies
t

=(t vx/c
2
). (17)
Equations (3), (4), (15) and (17) are the Lorentz transformations.
III. CONCLUSIONS
Due to its relevance in physic theories, its important that students have a clear sense of
what the Lorentz transformations means and how to derive them.
As it can be seen, the previous derivation for the Lorentz transformations is a simple one,
making it suitable for undergraduate students to have a better understanding in this topic
and for teachers of this courses to use it in their lectures.

Electronic address: cadh@ciencias.unam.mx

1
Special Relativity and Diagonal Transformations Leonard Parker and Glenn M. Schmieg Am. J.
Phys. 38, 218 (1970)
2
On the Lorentz Transformation Leonard Parker Am. J. Phys. 39, 223 (1971)
4