PIRSA:08070050

Special Relativity 12 - Einstein's Rotating Disk Thought Experiment

Epp, R. (2008). Special Relativity 12 - Einstein's Rotating Disk Thought Experiment. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/08070050

Epp, Richard. Special Relativity 12 - Einstein's Rotating Disk Thought Experiment. Perimeter Institute, Jul. 27, 2008, https://pirsa.org/08070050 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:08070050,
            doi = {},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/08070050},
            author = {Epp, Richard},
            keywords = {},
            language = {en},
            title = {Special Relativity 12 - Einstein{\textquoteright}s Rotating Disk Thought Experiment},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2008},
            month = {jul},
            note = {PIRSA:08070050 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Richard Epp

University of Waterloo

Talk number
PIRSA:08070050
Collection
Abstract
Introduction to Einstein's famous rotating disk thought experiment, which he used to help him understand the true nature of gravity.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understanding that an observer placed at the edge of a rotating disk (or inside a rotating cylinder) experiences an artificial gravitational field related to his centripetal acceleration.
• Appreciating the ways in which this artificial gravitational field exactly mimics the real gravitational field we experience near the Earth's surface.
• How Einstein realized Newton's model of gravity must be wrong: it does not correctly predict the observed motions of the planets, and it does not respect the speed limit of the universe.