Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool

In summary, this Interative Minkowski Diagram Tool allows you to add events, connect events and add world lines. Lorentz transformation for moving frames also present.
  • #1
Divy Jain
2
4
I've made a Interative Minkowski Diagram Tool,
http://divykjain.github.io/IMD

You can add events, connect events and add world lines. Lorentz transformation for moving frames also present.

I've added support for frame velocities equal or greater than light speeds(but the animations are a mess for ftl speeds)

Please do check it out!
Comments (about bugs, feature requests, physics, graphics) are welcomed!
 
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Likes vanhees71, PeterDonis, jedishrfu and 1 other person
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  • #2
Quite nice. I noticed you used P5.js as the basis for your application.

Is this the javascript mode for Processing? or did you use something else to create it?
 
  • #3
One interesting feature you could consider is some animation for the twin paradox and other similar problems.

One might select the paradox and in the case of the twin paradox, enter the speed of the twin's spaceship. In your diagram you could shows its track with markers for the time so that someone could see why the spaceship twin's clock is running slower than the stationary twin.
 
  • #4
jedishrfu said:
Is this the javascript mode for Processing?
Yes, for more information on p5.js you can refer to p5js.org/

jedishrfu said:
One interesting feature you could consider is some animation for the twin paradox and other similar problems.

One might select the paradox and in the case of the twin paradox, enter the speed of the twin's spaceship. In your diagram you could shows its track with markers for the time so that someone could see why the spaceship twin's clock is running slower than the stationary twin.
To see the clocks one can refer to the hyperbolic(space-time) contours, the events lying on the same contours have experienced the same amount of proper time.
But still I'll try to add a feature that makes it easier to see that!
 
  • #5
I was thinking of a kind of light trail:

  1. t0 lights
  2. t1 then t1' lights a little behind t1
  3. and at the end t10 and t8' light up end of trip

It would show the time going slower on the spaceship and the fact that the spaceship twin has aged less and is thus younger than his/her stationary Earth twin.

Thanks for the p5js.org reference. I think the P5JS folks may have broken away from Processing to develop their version as it used to be a part of the Processing modes selection.

But it definitely looks nice.
 

1. What is an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool?

An Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool is a computer program or application that allows users to plot and manipulate Minkowski diagrams, which are graphical representations of special relativity. This tool can help scientists and students better understand the concepts of time dilation, length contraction, and the relationship between space and time in special relativity.

2. How does an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool work?

An Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool works by allowing users to input values for relativity parameters, such as velocity and time, and then generating a visual representation of the Minkowski diagram based on those inputs. Users can then interact with the diagram by adding or removing objects, changing their velocity, and observing the effects on the diagram.

3. What are the benefits of using an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool?

Using an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool can help scientists and students gain a better understanding of the principles of special relativity in a visual and interactive way. It can also make it easier to compare different scenarios and see the effects of changing parameters. Additionally, this tool can save time and effort compared to manually drawing and calculating Minkowski diagrams.

4. What are some real-world applications of an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool?

An Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool can be used in various fields such as physics, astrophysics, and engineering. It can be helpful in studying space-time travel, relativistic motion of particles, and the behavior of light. It can also be used in designing and analyzing experiments and technologies involving high velocities, such as particle accelerators and spacecraft.

5. Are there any limitations to an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool?

While an Interactive Minkowski Diagram Tool can be a useful tool for understanding special relativity, it is important to note that it is a simplified representation and may not accurately depict all aspects of relativity. It also relies on the accuracy of the input parameters, so care should be taken when using it for precise calculations. Additionally, this tool may not be suitable for more complex scenarios involving multiple objects or non-inertial frames of reference.

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