IMAGE INTERPRETATION OF THE SPECIAL RELATIVISTIC SPACETIME VIEW

The space-time view of special relativity is abstract and difficult to understand, on the one hand, because the space-time effects involved in special relativity, such as the relativity of simultaneity, length contraction and time delation, are difficult to be observed in practice. On the other hand, it is difficult for us to visually describe these space-time effects simultaneously and provide corresponding relationships between the space-time effects observed in different reference frames. This paper addresses this issue by using graphical representation to represent the spatiotemporal images observed by two reference frames at different times, and discussing their corresponding relationships with specific numerical values. In the graphic method, three important space-time effects of special relativity, namely, the relativity of simultaneity, length contraction and time delation, are considered at the same time. In this way, it can be seen visually that the observation results obtained in one reference system will be recognized by another reference system. It is these mutually recognized observations that constitute the space-time view of special relativity. By discussing the space-time images observed in different reference frames and their interrelationships, students can deepen their understanding of the space-time effects of special relativity and the physical significance of Lorentz transformation.