Relativistic velocity addition from the geometry of momentum space

Abstract

With the goal of developing didactic tools, we consider the geometrization of the addition of velocities in special relativity by using Minkowski diagrams in momentum space. For the case of collinear velocities, we describe three ruler-and-compass constructions that provide simple graphical solutions working with the mass-shell hyperbola in a 1 + 1-dimensional energy–momentum plane. In the spirit of dimensional scaffolding, we use those results to build a generalization in 1 + 2 dimensions for the case of non-collinear velocities, providing in particular a graphical illustration of how the velocity transverse to a boost changes while the momentum remains fixed. We supplement the discussion with a number of interactive applets that implement the diagrammatic constructions and constitute a visual tool that should be useful for students to improve their understanding of the subtleties of special relativity.