The Galilean transformation is used to transform between the coordinates of two reference frames which differ only by constant relative motion within the constructs of Newtonian physics. This is the passive transformation point of view. The equations below, although apparently obvious, break down at speeds that approach the speed of light on account of the principles of relativity theory.

Galileo formulated these concepts in his description of uniform motion.^[1] The topic was motivated by Galileo's description of the motion of a ball rolling down a ramp, by which he measured the numerical value for the acceleration of gravity near the surface of the Earth.

Translation

Standard configuration of coordinate systems for Galilean transformations.

In essence, the Galilean transformations embody the intuitive notion of addition and subtraction of velocities. The assumption that time can be treated as absolute is at the heart of the Galilean transformations.

This assumption is abandoned in the Lorentz transformations. These relativistic transformations are applicable to all velocities, whilst the Galilean transformation can be regarded as a low-velocity approximation to the Lorentz transformation.

The notation below describes the relationship under the Galilean transformation between the coordinates (x,y,z,t) and (x′,y′,z′,t′) of a single arbitrary event, as measured in two coordinate systems S and S', in uniform relative motion (velocity v) in their common x and x’ directions, with their spatial origins coinciding at time t=t'=0: ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Note that the last equation expresses the assumption of a universal time independent of the relative motion of different observers.

In the language of linear algebra, this transformation is considered a shear mapping, and is described with a matrix acting on a vector. With motion parallel to the x-axis, the transformation acts on only two components:

Though matrix representations are not strictly necessary for Galilean transformation, they provide the means for direct comparison to transformation methods in special relativity.

Galilean transformations

Diagram 1. Views of spacetime along the world line of an accelerating observer.

Vertical direction indicates time. Horizontal indicates distance, the dashed line is the spacetime trajectory of the observer. The lower half of the diagram shows events in the past. Upper half shows future events. The small dots are arbitrary events in spacetime.

The slope of the world line (deviation from being vertical) gives the relative velocity to the observer. Note how the view of spacetime shears when the observer accelerates.

The Galilean symmetries can be uniquely written as the composition of a rotation, a translation and a uniform motion of space-time.^[6] Let x represent a point in three-dimensional space, and t a point in one-dimensional time. A general point in space-time is given by an ordered pair (x,t). A uniform motion, with velocity v, is given by where v is in R³. A translation is given by where a in R³ and b in R. A rotation is given by where G : R³ → R³ is an orthogonal transformation.^[6] As a Lie group, the Galilean transformations have dimensions 10.^[6]

Central extension of the Galilean group

The Galilean group: Here, we will only look at its Lie algebra. It's easy to extend the results to the Lie group. The Lie algebra of L is spanned by H, P_i, C_i and L_ij (antisymmetric tensor) subject to commutators, where

H is generator of time translations (Hamiltonian), P_i is generator of translations (momentum operator), C_i is generator of Galileian boosts and L_ij stands for a generator of rotations (angular momentum operator).

We can now give it a central extension into the Lie algebra spanned by H', P'_i, C'_i, L'_ij (antisymmetric tensor), M such that M commutes with everything (i.e. lies in the center, that's why it's called a central extension) and

See also

• Representation theory of the Galilean group
• Lorentz group
• Poincaré group
• Lagrangian and Eulerian coordinates

Notes