Table of Contents

Galilean Spacetime Diagrams

Prompts

“Draw a diagram representing yourself, standing still.”

“Draw a diagram representing your partner, moving right at 5 mph.”

“Draw diagrams representing each of you throwing a ball to the right at 10 mph.”

Context

Estimated Time: 20 minutes, including wrap-up

This SWBQ is a good introduction to spacetime diagrams. Students represent motion as worldlines in a spacetime diagram.

Wrap Up

  • Ask several students to present/defend their responses.
  • Ask how fast each observer sees each thrown ball move.
  • Ask students to explain how to answer this question from the diagram.
  • Conclude that speed is (reciprocal) slope.

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