Source

Collection

Wiki SR simulations (v1) — reference build for the wiki simulation engine.

Concept

A Lorentz boost is a hyperbolic rotation of spacetime that preserves the invariant interval s² = (ct)² − x².

Serves

Geometric intuition for the Lorentz transformation: the ct′ and x′ axes tilt symmetrically toward the light cone while the interval — and the event's place on its hyperbola — stays fixed.

Inquiry

What is conserved as the boost grows? Why is a boost called a "rotation"? Where does the event go as φ → ∞?

Misconception

That a boost moves an event "outward" from the origin, or that length contraction shrinks its interval.

Pedagogy principles applied

ID	Principle	How it shows up here
H1	Misconception is structural, not a text card	The "moves outward" and "length-contraction" errors are wrong prediction choices; the rebuttal appears only if the student picks one.
D6/D7	Guided inquiry reveals in stages	Five sidebar step-cards run fundamental → full (predict → observe → verify → the rotation analogy → resolve); the readout switches to rapidity φ exactly when that step needs it.
J	Invariant panels are scoped to invariance sims	This sim's lesson IS invariance, so the s′² invariant readout is shown (gold) — it would be turned off for a dilation/contraction sim.
A2	Fewest objects	Opens with one event P on its hyperbola; no vestigial metric cards or counts that no step reads.
C	Every number earns its place	β, φ, γ and P's two coordinate pairs are each read or compared by a step; the interval is the quantity the whole activity is about.