Bats, Echolocation, and a Newtonian View of Einstein's Special Relativity

Explore a unique approach to Einstein's Special Relativity in this 53-minute seminar recorded at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW. Discover how A/Prof N J Wildberger derives the main kinematic formulas using a Newtonian perspective, focusing on inertial observers and framing the discussion around sound and bat echolocation. Learn how relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, and Einstein's velocity addition become simple consequences of high school algebra applied to everyday scenarios. Delve into topics such as the Newtonian one-dimensional world, Lorentz transformation, and length contraction, gaining insights into this fundamental theory of physics through an innovative and accessible presentation.