An interactive Minkowski diagram

The diagram in a pop-up window - Tutorial - Examples and excercises - Answers - Sources

This interactive Minkowski diagram is based on the conventional setting of c = 1. Units along the
axis may be interpreted as: t unit = second, then d unit = lightsecond, or alternatively, d unit = m, t
unit = 3.34E-9 s, etc. As usual, the three spacial dimensions are represented by the single d axis.
Alternatively, you may use c as a conversion factor and read the vertical axis in length units
as ct in stead of c. Then both axes may be read in meters.

The diagram is representing a model of two spacetime events, event A and event B. Two
observers in two inertial reference frames pass each other in the origin. At that point is event A -
the green ball. The user inputs the time and distance for event B - the red ball - and the relative
velocity. The diagram will show time dilation, the relativity of simultaneity and other effects of
special relativity.

The diagram will show the events as measured by the two observers as designed by Einstein: Each
observer has a set of synchronized clocks and previously established distance points. The diagram
may also show the observed times as calculated by taking into account the travel time of light
from the events to the observers.

One observer follows the worldline of t, the other follows a worldline t' which will appear when
the button "Calculate" is pressed. First input the relative velocity as a fraction of c, time and
distance for event B as measured by the observer following worldline t.

Calculation of coordinates in the t' system are done by the inverse Lorentz transformations. The
input values are as measured in the t coordinate system that is not moving. With c = 1 the

simplified inverse Lorentz transformation is and .

For some situations where the goal is to find the coordinates in the t system, the simplified
original Lorentz transformation is used. A reminder of those equations:

and .

The initial setting is to use the inverse Lorentz transformations. The choice of input and mode of
calculation may be toggled with the button "Toggle input mode".

The two events may also be shown in "real time" by pressing the buttons "Play t worldline" or
"Play t' worldline". The two events will then appear in space and time (given time unit = 1
second).

Below the animation is a more detailed tutorial and some examples and excercises.

Tutorial
The animation may be opened in a separate window by clicking this link.

Basic input
The user can input 3 variables, relative velocity and the time
value and distance value, initially for event B. Values are entered in
the three fields shown by the top red arrows. Note that input fields
have a heavier border and are coloured different shades of light
blue.

The relative velocity is entered as a fraction of c, the speed of light

(299 792 458 m/s).

Event A is always at t = t' = 0 and d = d' = 0.

To the bottom right are buttons labelled Calculate, Toggle input

mode and Reset.When the button Calculate is pressed the
animation will calculate the time and distance values for event B as
measured by the observer in the worldline t'. These values are
shown in the pink output fields.

The animation will also calculate the invariant spacetime

interval (the Lorentz interval) squared. These calculations are done
separately for the two worldlines tand t'. The two calculations of
the invariant interval are shown in the light yellow output fields.

The animation calculates and displays the slope and scale of

the worldline t'depending on the relative velocity. The distance line
d' associated with the worldline t' is also displayed.

The button Toggle input mode toggles the calculation mode of the
animation and the respective input variables. In the initial setup the
animation is using t and d as input and calculates with the inverse
Lorentz transformations. Using the toggle button you may instead
use t' and d' as input and calculate with the original Lorentz
transformations. The activated input fields are coloured light blue
and have a heavier border.

The button Reset clears the display area, the user input and the
calculated variables.
The graph
Event A is shown with a green ball. Event B is
shown with a red ball.

To find the distance of event B you follow the

grey linefrom the red ball and parallel to the t
(ct) axis and read off the d axis.

To find the time of event B you follow the

grey line from the red ball and parallel to the
d axis and read off the t (ct) axis.

When the t' (ct') axis and the d' axis are
shown you read off the spacetime coordinates
for event B in a similar way.

To find the distance of event B in the t'

reference frame you follow
the red line parallel to the t' (ct') axis and read
off the d' axis.

To find the time of event B in the t' reference

frameyou follow the red line parallel to the d'
axis and read off the t' (ct') axis.

Notice that the t' (ct) and d' axes are scaled
according to the inverse Lorentz
transformation in order to show the correct
time and distance values.

Real-time playback
When the data for the t' worldline are calculated and displayed, two new buttons appear:
Play t worldline and Play t'worldline. The time will pass as shown by the clocks and the two events
will appear as predicted by the respective measurements according to the to worldlines. This
display is most effective with sound activated on your computer as the two events are
accompanied by a couple of chords. Event A appears at t = 0 and d = 0.
Observation times
The Minkowski diagram shows the events as measured according to the
reference frames. This should not be confused with observations of the
events. Unless event B lies directly on a worldline of one of the observers,
observation time will be different from measured time. To show the
observation times it is necessary to calculate the travelling time for the light
from the event to the observer. The animation can show the light path and
the observation times. When an event has been calculated, the
button Show/hide light path to observersappears in the bottom right of the
animation.

When this button is toggled on, the graph shows the

light path from event B to the two observers at t' and t
as a weak yellow line. Since light moves at v = c = 1 in
this diagram, this line is always at 45o to the t and d
axis. The observation times are marked with eyes on the
two worldlines. The observation times are calculated and
shown in a nearby text field. An example is shown in the
illustration to the right.

The observation times may be removed from the graphic

by toggling the Show/hide button.

Examples and exercises

1) Slope and stretch of worldline for the moving observer.

Input t = d = 0, ie., both events are at the origin at time 0. Input relative velocity 0.3 c. Notice the
slope of worldline t'and the approximate distance between the time and distance markers.
Change the velocity to 0.5 c and recalculate. Notice that the slope relative to the t axis has
increased and that the distance between the markers has increased.

Excercise 1a: Try other velocities like 0.7 c and 0.8 c.

Excercise 1b: Now study the d' axis when different velocities are chosen. What is the relationship
between the angle between t and t' and the angle between d and d'?

2) Change point of view

If observer t' moves at velocity v in relation to observer t, one may change the point of view and
say that observer tmoves at velocity -v in relation to observer t'. The two velocities are equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction. If we change the point of view of the motion, the locations
of events A and B will be exchanged as well. What was tand d for event B is now t and d for event
A and vice versa.
An example: Input v = 0.6 c, t = 6, d = 5. Notice that t' = 3.75 and d' = 1.75. Now switch point of
view by inputting v = -0.6 c, t = 3.75 and d = 1.75. Notice that now t' = 6, d' = 5. In other words, the
change in point of view keeps the same coordinates for the two events.

Excersise 2a: Input v = 0.25 c, t = 4, d = 6. Switch point of view. What are the new input values?

Excercise 2b: Input v = 0.8 c, t = 2.5, d = -1. Switch point of view. What are the new input values?

Excercise 2c: Input v = -0.6 c, t = 5, d = -5.5. Switch point of view. What are the new input values?

3) Time dilation and the slowing of clocks.

Toggle the input mode so that the t' and d' fields are blue. Input v = 0.6
c, t' = 4 and d' = 0. This indicates that both events are on the worldline of
the moving observer. Suppose both events represents a tick of a clock
that ticks every second. From the moving observer's point of view, the
clock shows that 4 seconds has passed. Notice that the nonmoving
observer measures that 5 seconds has passed. The nonmoving observer
will conclude that the moving clock is slow.

Now turn the situation around. Toggle the input mode so that
the t and d fields are blue. Input v = 0.6 c, t = 4 and d = 0. The clock is
now on the worldline of the observer that is at rest. The nonmoving
clock shows that 4 seconds has passed. But according to the moving
observer, 5 seconds have passed. She will correctly conclude that
the nonmoving clock is slow.

Conclusion: Both observers will conclude that the other clock is slow (by
a factor of 4/5 = 0.8).

Excercise 3a: Repeat this experiment with v = 0.8 c. What are the t and d values for the
nonmoving observer be when the moving observer's clock shows t' = 1.5? What is the rate of time
dilation each observer will calculate for the other clock?

Excercise 3b: Repeat the experiment with v = 0.5 c. What are the t and d values for the
nonmoving observer when the moving clock shows t' = 3? What is the rate of time dilation?

Excercise 3c: After observing the slowing of clocks for 3 different velocities, 0.5 c, 0.6 c and 0.8 c,
what will you conclude regarding the relationship between the relative velocity and the time
dilation?

4) Simultaneity

Let v = 0 and input t = 0, d = 4. The two events A and B are simultaneous in both reference frames.
Now change the velocity to v = 0.4 c. Notice that t' changes to -1.7457. This means that in the
reference frame of the moving observer event B is measured to happen almost 2
seconds before event A, they are not simultaneous. But in the nonmoving reference frame they
are still happening at the same time!

Change the relative velocity to v = -0.4. Now event B is measured to happen almost 2
seconds after event A according to the moving observer. To conclude: Events that are
simultaneous to one observer are generally not simultaneous to another observer moving relative
to the first one.

Repeat this experiment. Each time, click the button "Play t worldline" and follow the animation of
the events as measured by observer with worldline t". Also click the button "Play t' world line"
and follow the events as measured by observer with world line t'. Notice when and where the two
events appear in the two respective worldlines.

Another example. Input v = 0.6 c, t = 2.25 and d = 3.75. Notice that t' = 0. Event B is now
simultaneous to event A in the reference frame of the moving observer, but not in the
nonmoving reference frame. Here event B happens 2.25 seconds after event A. Notice that event
B is placed on the axis d'. All points on this axis are simultaneous to the origin in the moving
reference frame. Likewise: All points on any line that is parallell to d' are equidistant in time from
the origin in this reference frame.

Use the "Play worldline"-buttons also for this experiment and for the two exercises that follow!

Excercise 4a: Two observers are moving at 0.8 c relative to each other. For one observer two
events A and B are simultaneous and separated by 3 units of space. How will the two events be
measured by the other observer?

Excercise 4b: At a relative velocity of 0.8 c, what will the nonmoving observer measure if the
moving observer measures event B to be simultaneous with event A and at the distance of 1.5?
(Hint: Use the input mode for the original Lorentz transformations.)

5) Temporal order

Under some conditions the temporal order of events may be any of these: Before, simultaneous
or after. An example: Let event B be located at t = 2, d = 4. First, try v = 0.2 c. Both observers now
agree that event A happens before event B. Change the velocity to v = 0.5 c. Now the two events
are simultaneous according to the moving observer. Finally set v = 0.8 c. This time the moving
observer will measure event B to happen before event A. All three possibilities of temporal order
are present, only depending on the velocity of the observer. Use the Play worldline-buttons for
all three scenarios to confirm the numerical and graphical data.

Excercise 5: Set v = 0.6, t = 1 and d = 5. Then find a velocity where the two events are
simultaneous for the moving observer and a velocity where event A happens before event B for
the moving observer.

Examples 4 & 5 demonstrate clearly that there is no such thing as absolute simultaneity.

6) The invariant interval

In special relativity there is a quantity that is invariant (not changing) for all inertial reference
frames. In other words, given some event B one can calculate an interval which is the same
regardless of the relative velocity of the two observers. The equation for this interval (also called
the Lorentz interval or the invariant spacetime interval) is given by i2 = (ct)2 - d2. The animation
calculates the square of the invariant interval - and it calculates it separately for the two
reference frames in order to show that it really is an invariant!

Example: Set v = 0.3 c, t = 4, d = 3. Notice that i2 = i'2 = 7. Try changing the velocity, e.g set v = 0.5
c. Try any other value for v. Try a negative value for v.

Excercise 6: Find the invariant interval for t = 2.5, d = 5.5. Find the invariant interval for t = 6, d =
2.

[In three spacial dimensions the Lorentz interval is given by the equation i2 = (ct)2 - (x2 + y2 + z2).
(In some texts the sign is swithced between the time and space dimensions).]

7) Timelike and spacelike intervals

In the animation the spacetime diagram is divided into 4 equal sectors. Two of these are labelled
"Timelike intervals", two "Spacelike intervals". Choose any value for v and plug in these values for
t and d: t = 3 d = 5, t = -1 d = 6, t = 4 d = -5, t = -3 d = -6. Notice that all instances of event B are in
the sectors with spacelike intervals. Notice also that for all these instances the spacetime interval
squared is negative. In all such cases the spacial relation between events A and B cannot be
reversed. With spacelike intervals the spacial separation dominates - d2 > (ct)2 - and there can be
no causual relationship between the two events. Another way to view this: The interval is such
that there is not enough time for light to pass from one event to the other.

Now choose any value for c and plug in these values for t and d: t = 2 d = 1, t = 5 d = 3, t = 6 d = -1,
t = -5 d = 4, t = -6 d = -3. Notice that all instances of event B are in the sectors with timelike
intervals. Notice also that for all these instances the spacetime interval squared is positive. In all
such cases the sequence in time between events A and B cannot be reversed. With timelike
intervals the separation in time dominates - (ct)2 > d2 - and there is no fixed directional
relationship between the two events: left and right can be exchanged depending on the motion of
the ovserver.

There is a third type of interval to consider. Let (ct)2 = d2 which is to say v = d/t = c. In other words,
the velocity is c, the speed of light. This type of interval is therefore called lightlike and it is
represented in the animation by the two yellow worldlines representing light passing through
event A.

Excercise 7: Given that event A as usual is in the origin, decide which of the intervals are
spacelike, timelike and lightlike for the following events B. Use both the numerical and the
graphical method to decide. Also use the "Play worldline"-function to confirm your choice.
a - t = 5, d = 3. b - t = -6, d = -3. c - t = 1.5, d = 5. d - t = 3, d = -3.5. e - t = 2.1, d = 2.0. f - t = 4.5, d =
4.5.

8) Observations
The two observers will see event A simultaneously, at t = d = 0. When will they see (observe)
event B? To find out, one must calculate the travel time for light from event B to the worldline of
the two observers. When a calculation has been done in the animation, a new button
appears: Show/hide light path to observers. Input v = 0.4 c, t = 5 and d = 4. Calculate and toggle
the Show/hide button. Notice that the nonmoving observer measures event B to happen at t = 5
but he sees the event at t = 9. The moving observer measures event B to happen at t' = 3.7097
and she seesthe event at t' = 5.8919. Notice the angle of the light path. Notice that the same light
path passes through both observers.

Excercise 8a: What is the angle of the light

path relative to the time axis t?

9) The twin paradox

The twin paradox is the well-known fact that

someone travelling at a relativistic speed ages
more slowly than someone at rest. This can be
demonstrated by an experiment with a pair of
twins where one twin travels an interstellar
distance and back at high speed.

Let event A1 be the separation of the twins

and event A2the reunion. These events are
both on the t worldline of the twin that stays
at home (ie, at rest). Event B is the turn
around point for the travelling twin. This
event must therefore be on the t' worldline.
To achieve this we must set the values such
that d / t = relative velocity. Let us try v = 0.75,
d = 3 and t = 4. Note that t' = 2.6458, this is
the elapsed time for the traveller. Elapsed time for the stay-at-home twin is of course 4. Now the
travelling twin turns around. The return trip therefore has v = -0.75 and t = -4 and d = 3. t must be
negative to achieve the negative relative velocity. An alternate reasoning is that the event
A2 which is the common event when the two twins are back together again has the values t = d =
0, and to achieve this t and t' for event B on the return trip must be negative. Note that t' = -
2.6458 and t = -4. Time elapsed must be the negative of this result since we started the home lap
with a negative time value. Total elapsed time for the travelling twin is thus 2.6458 * 2 = 5.2916.
And total elapsed time for the stay-at-home twin is 4 * 2 = 8.

Conclusion: the travelling twin ages slower! This is of course not really a paradox: The stay-at-
home twin is staying in the same inertial reference frame but the travelling twin is switching
reference frame at the turn around point. This can also be seen from the fact that the worldline of
the stay-at-home-twin is continuous (vertical both times) but the travelling twin has two different
worldlines with - in this case - an angle of about 74o.

Excercise 9a: Use the animation to calculate how much younger the travelling twin is after
travelling 24 light years and back at 0.96 c. (Hint: Start by finding the travel time at 0.96 c!)
Excercise 9b: Use the animation to calculate how far you can travel and return while 500 years
pass at home and you travel at 0.9999 c. What is your elapsed time as a traveller?

10) Length contraction

To use the Minkowski diagram to calculate and show the Lorentz-Fitzgerald length contraction
requires some special consideration. Suppose we have an object of a certain length, say 7 units.
What would it entail for the two observers to measure the length of this object? The nonmoving
observer has no problem, the object is not moving relative to him, so he can use his distance axis
d. We know that all points on this axis are simultaneous in the nonmoving reference frame. The
moving observer also needs to measure the length of the object by measurements simultaneous
at both ends of the object. That is only possible along the d' axis or a line parallell to this axis. We
know that all points on the d' axis are simultaneous for the moving observer. In the case of the d'
axis we also know that the time t' at all points is 0.

Input v = 0.3 c and d = 7. The meaning of this is that the rest length of the object is 7 units, and
this is the length the nonmoving observer measures. How can we find t? This equation from the

inverse Lorentz transformation will help:

We know v and d, and we also know that t' = 0 since we are only interested in points along the d'-
axis. This fact simplifies the equation to t - vd = 0 and t = vd. With v = 0.3 and d = 7 we easily
calculate that t = 2.1. Intput this result.

Notice that this gives d' = 6.6776. This demonstrates that the object is shorter by appr 0.3224
when the velocity is 0.3 c.

Now input some new values: v = 0.4 c, t = 0.4 * 7 = 2.8. The result is now d' = 6.4156.

Excercise 10a: Find the length contraction at v = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 0.95, 0.99 and 0.999 c.

Notice that the length contraction increases more rapidly with increasing velocity. Notice also
that the length contraction becomes extreme when v approaches c.

Excercise 10b: Suppose the object is moving along with observer t'. Find out how to use the
animation to calculate the length contraction when v = 0.3 c and d' = 7. (Hint: Use the original
Lorentz transformation, not the inverse!)

Answers to excercises
1b: The two angles are equal in size and opposite in direction.

2a: v = -0.25 c, t = 2.582, d = 5.164. 2b: v = -0.8, t = 5.5, d = -5.

3a: Event B happens at t = 2.5 and d = 2 in the rest frame. The rate of time dilation is then 1.5 /
2.5 = 0.6.
3b: For the nonmoving observer event B happens be at t = 3.4641 and d = 1.7321. The rate of
time dilation is 3 / 3.4641 = 0.8660.

3c: The time dilation increases with increased velocity.

4a: One event is 4 units of time before the other and they are separated by 5 units of space.

4b: The nonmoving observer measures t = 2 and d = 2.5.

5: At v = 0.2 c the events are simultaneous in the moving reference frame. For any velocity < 0.2 c
event A happens before event B.

6: i2 = -24, i2 = 32. 7: a & b - timelike. c & d - spacelike. e - timelike. f - lightlike.

8a: The angle is 45o in this example, it may otherwise be -45o. In any and all cases it is parallel to
one of the two worldlines of light passing through event A.

9a: The stay-at-home twin ages 50 y, the travelling twin ages 14 y, the difference is 36 y.

9b: 249.975 ly and back, and the total travel time is 7.07 y, only a little over 1/100 of the stay-at-
home elapsed time!

10a: The following table shows the length contractions for several values of c when the length for
the nonmoving observer is 7 units.

0.1 c d' = 6.9649

0.2 c d' = 6.8586
0.3 c d' = 6.6776
0.4 c d' = 6.4156
0.5 c d' = 6.0622
0.6 c d' = 5.6
0.7 c d' = 4.999
0.8 c d' = 4.2
0.9 c d' = 3.05125
0.95 c d' = 2.18575
0.99 c d' = 0.98747
0.999 c d' = 0.31297

0.2 10b: Use this equation from the original Lorentz transformation: . Now you
want to measure along the d axis and therefore t = 0. v and d' are given and we only need to
find t'. Since t = 0, the equation reduces to t' = -vd' and we easily calculate t' = -2.1. Input v, d'
and t', and, voila!

Sources
Mook & Vargish: Inside Relativity. Princeton Univ. Press 1987
Taylor & Wheeler: Spacetime Physics. 2nd ed. Freeman & co 1992
Bais: Very Special Relativity. Harvard Univ. Press 2007