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L. McCalman

Publications and source records attributed to L. McCalman.

2 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2007

Real Time Relativity: exploration learning of special relativity

Real Time Relativity is a computer program that lets students fly at relativistic speeds though a simulated world populated with planets, clocks, and buildings. The counterintuitive and spectacular optical effects of relativity are prominent, while systematic exploration of the simulation allows the user to discover relativistic effects such as length contraction and the relativity of simultaneity. We report on the physics and technology underpinning the simulation, and our experience using it for teaching special relativity to first year university students.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2006

Real Time Relativity

Real Time Relativity is a computer program that allows the user to fly through a virtual world governed by relativistic physics. The user controls a 'rocket' carrying a 'camera'. The rocket may be accelerated and steered, and the camera may be pointed in any direction. It takes advantage of the fact that video cards provide inexpensive data-parallel processing and are designed to perform rapid arithmetic on four-dimensional vectors.

physics.ed-ph↗