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Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity
written by Joe Wolfe and George Hatsidimitris
This animation-based tutorial explores the topics raised as consequences of the constant speed of light.  This page covers time dilation, length contraction, and simultaneity in differing inertial reference frames. The Einstein Light project is a qualitative introduction to relativity, developed for novice learners and built around the framework of Flash media files with narration, video, and animation.
http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilatio...
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Relativity
- Special Relativity
= Simultaneity
= Time Dilation
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Informal Education
- Instructional Material
= Tutorial
- Audio/Visual
= Movie/Animation
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- text/html
- application/flash
- image/gif
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Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2005 School of Physics UNSW
Keywords:
Einstein, inertial reference frame, length contration, relative motion, relativity, simultaneity, special relativity, time dilation
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created January 9, 2008 by Christopher Bares
Record Updated:
August 19, 2016 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
February 12, 2007
Other Collections:

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion
  • 9-12: 4F/H2. All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion.
  • 9-12: 4F/H3c. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed—the "speed of light."

10. Historical Perspectives

10C. Relating Matter & Energy and Time & Space
  • 9-12: 10C/H1. As a young man, Albert Einstein, a German scientist, formulated the special theory of relativity, which brought about revolutionary changes in human understanding of nature. Among the counterintuitive ideas of special relativity is that the speed of light is the same for all observers no matter how they or the light source happen to be moving. In addition, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.
  • 9-12: 10C/H5. Einstein's development of the theories of special and general relativity ranks as one of the greatest human accomplishments in all of history. Many predictions from the theories have been confirmed on both atomic and astronomical scales. Still, the search continues for an even more powerful theory of the architecture of the universe.
  • 9-12: 10C/H6. Under everyday situations, most of the predictions of special relativity are nearly identical to those of classical mechanics. The more counterintuitive predictions of special relativity occur in situations that humans do not typically experience.
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Record Link
AIP Format
J. Wolfe and G. Hatsidimitris, (2005), WWW Document, (http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm).
AJP/PRST-PER
J. Wolfe and G. Hatsidimitris, Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity (2005), <http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm>.
APA Format
Wolfe, J., & Hatsidimitris, G. (2007, February 12). Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm
Chicago Format
Wolfe, Joe, and George Hatsidimitris. Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity. February 12, 2007. http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm (accessed 28 April 2024).
MLA Format
Wolfe, Joe, and George Hatsidimitris. Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity. 2005. 12 Feb. 2007. 28 Apr. 2024 <http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Joe Wolfe and George Hatsidimitris", Title = {Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {28 April 2024}, Month = {February 12, 2007}, Year = {2005} }
Refer Export Format

%A Joe Wolfe %A George Hatsidimitris %T Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity %D February 12, 2007 %U http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Wolfe, Joe %A Hatsidimitris, George %D February 12, 2007 %T Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity %V 2024 %N 28 April 2024 %8 February 12, 2007 %9 text/html %U http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module4_time_dilation.htm


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Einstein Light: Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity:

Same topic as Light Clock

A simple simulation of two light clocks (one at rest and the other moving) that illustrates the principle of time dilation in a manner comprehensible to novice learners. Users can change the speed of the moving clock to see the reciprocal nature of the time dilation effect.

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