Sector models?A toolkit for teaching general relativity: I. Curved spaces and spacetimes
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In this article, the authors present a workshop for high school and undergraduate students that introduces the notion of curved space by means of sector models of black holes, and further describe the extension to sector model of curved spacetimes.Abstract:
Teaching the general theory of relativity to high school or undergraduate students must be based on an approach that is conceptual rather than mathematical. In this paper we present such an approach that requires no more than elementary mathematics. The central idea of this introduction to general relativity is the use of so-called sector models. Sector models describe curved spaces the Regge calculus way by subdivision into blocks with euclidean geometry. This procedure is similar to the approximation of a curved surface by flat triangles. We outline a workshop for high school and undergraduate students that introduces the notion of curved space by means of sector models of black holes. We further describe the extension to sector models of curved spacetimes. The spacetime models are suitable for learners with a basic knowledge of special relativity. The teaching materials presented in this paper are available online for teaching purposes at www.spacetimetravel.org.read more
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Quantum Gravity from Causal Dynamical Triangulations: A Review
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TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive overview and assessment of recent results in Causal Dynamical Triangulations (CDT), a modern formulation of lattice gravity, whose aim is to obtain a theory of quantum gravity nonperturbatively from a scaling limit of the lattice-regularized theory, is presented.
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Quantum Gravity from Causal Dynamical Triangulations: A Review
Renate Loll,Renate Loll +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive overview and assessment of recent results in Causal Dynamical Triangulations (CDT), a modern formulation of lattice gravity, whose aim is to obtain a theory of quantum gravity nonperturbatively from a scaling limit of the lattice-regularized theory, is presented.
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General Relativity in Upper Secondary School: Design and Evaluation of an Online Learning Environment Using the Model of Educational Reconstruction.
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Teaching Einsteinian physics at schools: part 1, models and analogies for relativity
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Teaching Einsteinian physics at schools: part 3, review of research outcomes
TL;DR: In this paper, the results obtained from different instructors with ages 6, 9, 10, and 11 students using the models and analogies described in parts 1 and 2 are presented.
References
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General relativity without coordinates
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed an approach to the theory of Riemannian manifolds which avoids the use of co-ordinates, by approximating curved spaces by higher-dimensional analogs of polyhedra.
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Teaching and physics education research: bridging the gap
TL;DR: This work addresses concerns about the applicability of research-based PER practices in physics education, and identifies future studies required to overcome the gap between research and practice.
Book
A Journey into Gravity and Spacetime
TL;DR: In this paper, a potter's wheel is used to depict space and spacetime around a centre of mass stones in flight and planets in orbit gravity waves black holes a farewell look at gravity.