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The Open Source Physics Project is supported by NSF DUE-0442581.

Computer Program Detail Page

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Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model
written by Wolfgang Christian
The Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram model uses light-trajectories to show the effect of relative motion when observing (recording) events in special relativity.   In the default scenario, an explosion (an event) at the center of a right-moving stick occurs at t=0 and the arrival of the explosion light signal at each end is recorded.  The arrival event at the left end occurs before the arrival event at the right end because the stick is moving.  How do the location and time of these events change if they are observed in a reference frame (the Other Frame) in which the stick is stationary?  
 
The Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram model was written for the study of special relativity the Lorentz transformation using spacetime diagrams and is a supplemental simulation for an article by Sebastien Cromier and Richard Steinberg "The Twin Twin Paradox: Exploring Student Approaches to Understanding Relativistic Concepts" in the The Physics Teacher 48 (9), 598-601 (2010).  Initial conditions, such as the locations of the explosion and the detectors, can be adjusted by dragging before the simulation is run. The slider can be used to change the speed of the stick.  A third view shows the stick and the wavefront in space.  More importantly, a checkbox allows users to compare the predictions of Galilean and special relativity in order to observe how the assumption of a constant speed of light leads to the relativity of simultaneity.
 
The Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool.  It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive.  Double clicking the ejs_sr_SimultaneitySpacetimeDiagram.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java.
1 source code document is available
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Relativity
- Galilean Relativity
- Reference Frames
= Inertial
- Spacetime Fundamentals
= Light
- Special Relativity
= Simultaneity
= Space Contraction
= Time Dilation
- Lower Undergraduate
- Upper Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- Educators
- application/java
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Access Rights:
Free access
License:
This material is released under a GNU General Public License Version 3 license. Additional information is available.
Rights Holder:
Wolfgang Christian
Keyword:
twin paradox
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created October 7, 2010 by Wolfgang Christian
Record Updated:
April 28, 2024 by Wolfgang Christian
Last Update
when Cataloged:
October 7, 2010
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
W. Christian, Computer Program SIMULTANEITY SPACETIME DIAGRAM MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855).
AJP/PRST-PER
W. Christian, Computer Program SIMULTANEITY SPACETIME DIAGRAM MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855>.
APA Format
Christian, W. (2010). Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855
Chicago Format
Christian, Wolfgang. "Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model." Version 1.0. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855 (accessed 13 December 2024).
MLA Format
Christian, Wolfgang. Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2010. Java 1.5. 13 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Wolfgang Christian", Title = {Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model}, Month = {October}, Year = {2010} }
Refer Export Format

%A Wolfgang Christian %T Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model %D October 7, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855 %O 1.0 %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %D October 7, 2010 %T Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model %7 1.0 %8 October 7, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10383&DocID=1855


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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

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This resource is stored in 2 shared folders.

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Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model:

Replaces Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram JS Model

The original Java simulation has been improved and recoded in JavaScript.

relation by Wolfgang Christian
Is Based On Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool

The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model.

relation by Wolfgang Christian
Supplements The Twin Twin Paradox: Exploring Student Approaches to Understanding Relativistic Concepts

The Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram model is a supplemental simulation for an article by Sebastien Cromier and Richard Steinberg "The Twin Twin Paradox: Exploring Student Approaches to Understanding Relativistic Concepts" in the The Physics Teacher 48 (9), 598-601 (2010).

relation by Lyle Barbato

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