Explore Relativity with Interactive Flash Diagrams

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around interactive space-eigentime diagrams created by a participant, inspired by Epstein's book "Relativity Visualized." The focus includes the visual representation of special relativity and gravitation as curved spacetime, as well as the educational value and limitations of these diagrams.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares links to two interactive diagrams illustrating special relativity and gravitation, inviting comments and suggestions.
  • Another participant appreciates the visualizations but warns that Epstein's diagrams differ from standard Minkowski spacetime diagrams, suggesting they may be limited for advanced study.
  • A participant questions the representation of the time coordinate as a closed circle in the 3D diagram, seeking clarification on its meaning.
  • A response clarifies that the time coordinate is not a closed circle; rather, the diagram consists of multiple layers, with the 3D view being an arbitrary representation of the 2D diagram.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the animations provided by Adam.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the educational value of Epstein's diagrams, with some appreciating them for beginners while others caution about their limitations. The question regarding the time coordinate representation leads to a clarification but does not resolve all uncertainties.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the audience's familiarity with spacetime diagrams and does not resolve the broader implications of using non-standard representations in teaching relativity.

A.T.
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Hello,

for those of you who liked Epsteins book "Relativity Visualized" and
his geometrical interpretation of relativity: I have made two
interactive space-eigentime diagrams in flash to play with:
A basic on showing mainly special relativity:
http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/relativity.swf
A 3D version showing gravitation as curved spacetime (needs flash 9):
http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/gravitation.swf
Comments and suggestions are welcome

Adam
 
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Nice visualizations.
It's been a while since I have looked at Epstein's book.

Just a word of warning [for those unfamiliar with spacetime diagrams]... Epstein's vivid diagrams are not the standard Minkowski spacetime diagrams, as seen in more advanced relativity books. While his diagrams are enlightening and may be sufficient for beginners, they are of limited use.

Here's a review via JSTOR
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0024-094X(1984)17%3A4%3C299%3ARV%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0

Here's related thread on Epstein's diagrams:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=151075
 
A.T. said:
Hello,

for those of you who liked Epsteins book "Relativity Visualized" and
his geometrical interpretation of relativity: I have made two
interactive space-eigentime diagrams in flash to play with:
A basic on showing mainly special relativity:
http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/relativity.swf
A 3D version showing gravitation as curved spacetime (needs flash 9):
http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/gravitation.swf
Comments and suggestions are welcome

Adam

Can you tell me why the time coordinate is a closed circle in the interactive space-eigentime diagrams of http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/gravitation.swf
 
mendocino said:
Can you tell me why the time coordinate is a closed circle in the interactive space-eigentime diagrams of http://www.adamtoons.de/physics/gravitation.swf

It isn't. After each cycle you land on a new layer of the diagram. The 3D-view is basically the left 2D-diagram rolled together, so you have 4 layers. The choice of a rotational surface to embed the curved 2D-spacetime in 3D is arbitrary and has no physical meaning.
 
Thank you Adam for the excellent animations.
 

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