Subject: SPH4UE Topics: Relativity Lesson: 1.

05
Space Time Diagrams Materials: Serway/Jewett – 39.4
IB: A3
Homework: pg. 1228 #27-31, 33-35, 39, 43, 47
A) Recap:
• Einstein’s relativity has shown us that both time and space are variables when the speed of light is constant. The
consequences of this have led to the loss of absolute simultaneity, time dilation and length contraction. The concept of
space-time, as the malleable framework of the universe is strange and difficult to understand. Nothing better shows the
effects of space-time changes and is more iconic of relativity than space-time diagrams.
• There are different standards (Epstein) but Minkowski diagrams are the most accepted. Minkowski introduced the space-
time diagram in 1908 to help graphically show the effects of relativity.

B) Space-time Diagrams:
• Space-time diagrams involve plotting two objects in 2 dimensions: space and time. The
simplest way is to begin with the stationary FoR with time along the y-axis and the space
along the x-axis. We will call this the A-Frame (A FoR).
• The moving object/frame of reference gets its own set of axes but these will be at an angle.
Call this the B-Frame. The exact angle depends on the speed of the moving object. Both
sets of axes share the same origin (a time and place where the two FoR coincided or agree
on; where the light cone originates from).
• An object in the A-Frame that is at rest will trace a vertical line (A). i.e. no motion on the x-
axis but moving (upward) through time. This line is called the worldline for the object. An
object moving with uniform velocity would trace a line slanted to the right (B). The faster it
moves the more the slant is, up to a maximum of 45o which would represent an object moving
at c. A curved line would indicate an acceleration of some type (C).
• Since nothing can be moving at or above c, no line may have more than a 45 o angle and the
regions shown to the right as shaded (III) are invalid or undefined in any diagram.
• Often the scales that are used are t vs x and ct vs x. Between these the ct scale is very convenient as we shall show below.
Another convention is to use a scale where c is equal to 1.
• On the ct scaled diagrams the 45o line is c, and by simple geometry the angle between the ct’ and x’ axes is θwhere:
opp X 1 X v v
tan  = = =  =   = tan −1  
adj cT c T c c
• The scale on the slanted axis cannot be measured (don’t use a ruler) and must be calculated where:
Time obeys ( ct  ) = ( ct ) − ( x ) and length obeys ( x ) = ( x ) − ( ct ) which in turn are equivalent to
2 2 2 2 2 2
•
t = t  & L =  L where x = vt
• Another way to find this value is to consider that if a length in the stationary FoR is U, the equivalent length in U’ can be found
using:
1+  2 v
U =U where  =
1−  2 c

To explain how to use one of these diagrams it’s best to make one now . Let’s construct for a stationary observer watching a
rocket fly by in the positive x-direction at 0.58c.
 0.58c 
 = tan −1   = 30.1 hey that’s about 30o on my protractor (that was convenient
o
)
 c 

Continued next page

Notes:
Reading:
Homework: pg. 1228 #57-61, 63
Using the stationary FoR, U, as blue and normal right-angle setup and then adding the U’ FoR, bent in the 30o in green we get the
below. ct ct'

x'

Note, I have the grid setup for blue but not green yet because we have to calculate the spacing U’ using the previously discussed
relation:

1 + ( vc ) 1 + ( 0.58c c )
2 2
1+  2
U =U = U = U =1.4191
1−  2 1 − ( vc ) 1 − ( 0.58c c )
2 2

Which is to say that for every one unit on the U FoR, you need to measure 1.4 units on the U’ FoR. I am going to use the grid we
have where 5 small squares in U is equal to 1 unit. And so I need, 7.1 squares (equivalent) along U’ to match it. Note the axes are
not completely labelled for clarity and technical issues , but each tick is one unit long, long its respective axis.

ct ct'

x'

Okay so you can see how it becomes a bit of mess . We haven’t even plotted anything yet!
Now let’s use what we’ve learned. Here’s how an object one unit long at rest in either FoR would appear if it were to move at
0.58c. Using U’s FoR it appears contracted. By the diagram the contracted length is 0.81 units. This can be calculated using our
formulas as:
L= L
 = 1.23
1
= 0.813 where  = 1
= 1
= 1.23
1− v2
2
( 0.58 c )2
1−
c c2

Or read directly from the graph as shown:

Or we could look at it from the U’ FoR

In either FoR
And simultaneity becomes clearer . For the observer looking at the object:
And the object looking at the observer:
Finally we can also consider how each sees light moving at c. For the object it sees the light in U going from the back to the front
and then back again as taking 0.5 units to go forward and 2.5-0.5=2.0 units to go back (net 2.5 units).
For the observer it sees light in U’ go from back to front in 2.0 units of time and another 0.5 units to go back (but of course the
object sees it as 1 unit in either direction. Hence both see the speed of light as c (45 degree lines).

The above images are from Using Minkowski Diagram: https://hubpages.com/education/Using-the-Minkowski-Diagram-