Lorentz Factor

#Physics

$\gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}$

  • Called the Lorentz’s factor
  • Is a ubiquitous factor for equations in special relativity like for time dilation
  • $v$ is the magnitude of the velocity that a reference frame $S'$ is moving relative to $S$
  • When $v\ll c$, $\gamma\approx 1$
  • As $v\rightarrow c^{-}$, $\gamma$ increases significantly beyond $1$