The Spacetime World: Loedel's Spacetime Diagram (UMAP)

With this unit, the student will be able to: 1) relate the Loedel diagram to the required invariance of spacetime interval and invariance of the speed of light; 2) interpret, on a Loedel diagram, such features as events, world lines, lines of simultaneity, and light lines; 3) apply the Loedel diagram to the determinations of the proper length of an object; 4) use a Loedel diagram to illustrate the phenomena of length contraction and time dilation; 5) state and use the Einstein Addition Law for velocity; 6) identify, on a Loedel diagram, pairs of events which are separated by timelike, lightlike, and spacelike intervals; 7) recognize, on a Loedel diagram, which pairs of events may be casually related; and 8) recognize that the Special Relativity Theory places limits on the rigidity of materials.

Table of Contents:

INTRODUCTION

1. A SIMPLER PROCEDURE

2. CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOEDEL DIAGRAM

3. TIME DILATION AND LENGTH CONSTRUCTION

4. MOTION APPROACHING THE SPEED OF LIGHT

5. ADDITION OF VELOCITIES

6. RELATIVITY AND CASUALITY

7. RIGIDITY PARADOXES

8. SUMMARY

9. GLOSSARY

10. ANSWERS TO THE EXERCISES

11. MODEL EXAMINATION

12. ANSWERS TO THE MODEL EXAMINATION