Enter the velocity of an object and the speed of light into the calculator to determine the gamma factor. This calculator helps to understand the relativistic effects on time and space at high velocities.
Gamma Factor Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the gamma factor (γ):
γ = 1 / √(1 - (v^2 / c^2))
Variables:
- γ is the gamma factor
- v is the velocity of the object (m/s)
- c is the speed of light in a vacuum (m/s)
To calculate the gamma factor, divide the velocity of the object by the speed of light, square the result, subtract it from 1, and then take the square root of the inverse of this result.
What is a Gamma Factor?
The gamma factor is a dimensionless quantity in the theory of special relativity. It represents the factor by which time, length, and relativistic mass change for an object while that object is moving. The gamma factor increases as the object’s velocity approaches the speed of light, leading to significant relativistic effects such as time dilation and length contraction.
How to Calculate Gamma Factor?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Gamma Factor.
- First, determine the velocity of the object (v) in meters per second.
- Next, use the constant speed of light in a vacuum (c), which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
- Next, gather the formula from above = γ = 1 / √(1 – (v^2 / c^2)).
- Finally, calculate the Gamma Factor (γ).
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
velocity of the object (v) = 150,000,000 m/s
speed of light in a vacuum (c) = 299,792,458 m/s
