APS Excellence in Physics Education Award
November 2019

Education Prize Logo
Science SPORE Prize
November 2011

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

Computer Program Detail Page

Item Picture
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
  • Currently 5.0/5

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 person

Want to rate this material?
Login here!


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 6, 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 6 December 2024).
MLA Format
Christian, Wolfgang. Simultaneity Spacetime Diagram Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2010. Java 1.5. 6 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


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

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.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

This resource is stored in 2 shared folders.

You must login to access shared folders.

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

Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it.
Save to my folders

Supplements

Contribute

Related Materials

Similar Materials

OSP Projects:
Open Source Physics - EJS Modeling
Tracker
Physlet Physics
Physlet Quantum Physics
STP Book