On unexpected difficulties in the teaching of the special theory of relativity

Abstract

The wide availability of information has led to the fact that students are well aware of the difficulties of existing physical theories. In this article we analyze some logical paradoxes of the special relativity theory (SRT), concerning the time dilation and length contraction. The Lorentz transformations and the relativistic law for velocity addition are considered in detail. The notion of relativity and the transverse Doppler effect are discussed. The whole complex of numerous paradoxes in the special theory of relativity worries us by further complications.