The fundamentals of space-time: Part 2 - Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie
899,410 Views
4,724 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
Light always
travels at a speed of 299,792,458 meters per second. But if you're in
motion too, you're going to perceive it as traveling even faster --
which isn't possible! In
this second installment of a three-part series on space-time, CERN
scientists Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie use a space-time diagram to
analyze the sometimes confounding motion of light.
WatchThink 5 Multiple Choice &
2 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
0 Open Discussions
2 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
0 Open Discussions
We have chosen to draw the angle of light worldlines at 45 degrees. Given the speed of light is 299,792,458 metres per second, what duration does a space-time diagram 20cm wide and 20cm tall represent? Scientists often like to set the speed of light, c, to 1 in what are called "Natural Units." What do you think this means? Do the units matter? Why do you think the angle of 45 degrees is important? (Hint - think about the stretch-and-squash trick.)
Login to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Andrew Pontzen, Tom Whyntie
- Director Patrick Semple, Mark Fisher
- Producer Daniel Spencer
- Narrator Andrew Pontzen, Tom Whyntie
