Show that the Lorentz boosts, \(\begin{pmatrix}\gamma & -\beta\gamma\\ -\beta\gamma &

windpipe33u

windpipe33u

Answered question

2022-04-23

Show that the Lorentz boosts,
(γβγβγγ)
form a one-parameter Lie group.

Answer & Explanation

Friegordigh7r7

Friegordigh7r7

Beginner2022-04-24Added 16 answers

Step 1
Set the components of the matrix equal to one another.
On one hand, the product of the two boosts is equal to:
[γ1γ2(1+β1β2)γ1γ2(β1+β2)γ1γ2(β1+β2)γ1γ2(1+β1β2)]
on the other hand, for closure, you want this product to have the form of a boost for some unknown value of β3 and γ3(β3):
[γ3γ3β3γ3β3γ3]
Setting these two matrices equal to one another, you find constraints on γ3 and β3:
γ3=γ1γ2(1+β1β2)
γ3=γ1γ2(1+β1β2)

γ3β3=γ1γ2(β1+β2)
β3=β1+β21+β1β2
So you can solve for γ3 and β3 in terms of the original parameters β1, β2, γ1, γ2 and show that γ3 is indeed the Lorenz factor corresponding to β3, i.e. you can prove that, as required,
γ3=11β32
so the product of two boosts is itself a boost corresponding to bata3, γ3

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