Rockets and Relativity

Adventures in Physics and the Cosmos

Slide shows

See the physics in action with these slide shows. Each illustrates a key topic, step by step.

ROCKET TOPICS

  • Modelling an elliptical orbit in a spreadsheet
  • In elliptical orbits the height and speed are constantly changing
  • Modelling the Escape Velocity at a planet’s surface
  • Modelling the Net Energy of an Object
  • How heavy does an Astronaut feel?
  • Steering a Rocket using thrust vectoring

RELATIVITY TOPICS

  • An introduction to Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
  • Observers agree that a clock moving relative to them ticks slowly
  • Observers may not agree about the separation of two events
  • Observers may not agree about the order in which two events occur
  • Observers moving at different constant speeds perceive reality differently
  • The relative speed of an object is always less than the speed of light

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