Michael Fischer
Stanford University
mfischer #a#t# stanford #.#e#d#u#
In this project, I use rubber bands to construct a desktop model that illustrates the principles of Einstein's theory of speci...
Michael Fischer Stanford University mfischer #a#t# stanford #.#e#d#u#
In this project, I use rubber bands to construct a desktop model that illustrates the principles of Einstein's theory of special relativity. This rubber band desktop model is a fully self-contained model of a universe in which one can actually do experiments in special relativity. One of the fundamental principles of modern science is that the speed of light is constant in every inertial frame of reference. In this rubber band model, I am able to demonstrate why this principle is true. In this rubber band scale-model universe, all laws of physics are controlled by the Sine-Gordon equation, a single nonlinear partial differential equation that admits stable solutions that are known as solitons. By using these special solutions, I am able to construct measuring rods made out of kink solitons and clocks made out of breather solitons. If these solitons are then given a velocity, the kink measuring rods undergo length contractions and the breather clocks undergo time dilations. As measured by rubber band people living in this universe who use these measuring tools, the speed of light in this universe is constant in every inertial system. What is important about this rubber band desktop model universe is that I can do other experiments involving special relativity and that I can then extrapolate these results to our own real physical universe. In particular, this rubber band model universe shows why the speed of light in our own real universe is constant in every inertial system.
Like to rate videos and let people know what you think?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
Like to share videos with friends?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
This video has been removed from your Favorites. (Undo)
Like to Favorite videos and let people know what you think?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
Very clever model of special relativity. I like the use of kinks and breathers to model relativity. You can actually see the Lorentz contractions. Neat!! It really is a model of the universe on the desktop.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.