To understand the curvature of space and time around gravitational objects we must understand the meaning of the spacetime metric and how a metric is used in to describe the separation between events. In special relativity we learn about the Minkowski metric where the spacetime interval between two events (t1,x1,y1) and (t2,x2,y2) is
(Minkowski Metric)
The Minkowski metric computes a spatial separation, known as the proper distance, if the time interval between two events is zero. If two events occur at the same spatial location, the metric computes the negative of the square of the proper time (wristwatch time) measured at that location. In general, the interval is neither the spatial nor the temporal separation between events. The spacetime interval can even be zero if the spatial and temporal terms in the metric are equal. This null interval occurs if light from the one event arrives at the other event as it is taking place. The programs in this section explore the Minkowski metric.
There are two options in how to run these programs:
| Run Locally | Run via Browser |
|---|---|
| Download the osp_gr.jar. Double-click the “osp_gr.jar” file. When the jar file opens, select the “Programs” button at the bottom of the splash screen. Navigate to the “Special Relativity” folder where you will find the programs. | To run via your web browser, simply select the "Programs" link. |
You may directly access (browse) the binary directory containing jar files. Note that the binary directory also contains code libraries (jar files) that are not designed to run as stand-alone applications.