Spacetime Physics Companion Site
This is a reader-made companion site to the excellent book on Special Relativity: Spacetime Physics. It's intenet is to add interactive tools and visuals to aid understanding the nuances of Special Relativity and spacetime.
Note that this site is not affiliated with the authors, it's just something I put together for fun.
Free PDF version of the book is available on the authors website: Spacetime Physics, 2nd ed (downloadable PDF)
Spacetime Physics, Second Edition by Edwin F. Taylor and John Archibald Wheeler New York, W. H. Freeman and Co., 1992 ISBN:0-7167-2327-1.
Ch 1: Spacetime Overview
In this excellent intro to Special Relativity, the concept of 4 dimensional spacetime is explained through an analogy of land surveyors, and the pythagorean theorem is used to calculate spacetime intervals.
Ch 2: Floating Free
A free float/free fall frame is explained, along with Einstein vs Newton theories of gravity. "Observer" and "observation" are defined.
Ch 3: Same Laws For All
The laws of physics are the same for all reference frames, but some properties differ depending on each reference frame. Relativity of simultaneity, Lorentz contractions, and the invariance of the interval are explained.
Ch 4a: Lorentz Transformations
The Lorentz Transformation is explained in detail with a step by step breakdown of the formula, it's derivation, and other relevent formulas such as velocity combinations.
Ch 4: Trip to Canopus
Various mind-bending nuances of special relativity are explored: time dilation, twin paradox, supposed FTL travel, etc.
Ch 5: Trekking Through Spacetime
Spacetime maps/diagrams are introduced to visualize 4D spacetime on a 2D surface. Proper/wristwatch time, and worldlines are explained.
Ch 6: Regions of Spacetime
Define and explain the concepts of timelike, spacelike, and lightlight intervals. Future and past light cones are added to spacetime diagrams.
Ch 7: Momenergy
The 4D version of momentum (Momenergy) is explained in depth, along with the concepts of 4-vectors, space vs time parts of momenergy, and finally arrive at the famous equation: E=mc^2!
Ch 8: Collide. Create. Annihilate.
Exploration into particle physics: specifically the interactions between particles, and how properties like energy and momentum are conserved. Fission, fusion, annihilation as means to generate energy.
Ch 9: Gravity: Curved Spacetime In Action
Einstein's theory of gravity: General Relativity is briefly introduced, along with the evolution in mankind's understanding of gravity from Galileo to Newton to Einstein.