THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE-TIME: METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT

One of the problems of present physics teaching at the initial stage is creation in pupils minds some artificial barriers and the stereotypes complicating the subsequent studying of modern concepts. The main idea of the approach developed - all the themes and topics of general physics course should be focused on modern physical knowledge. Major instructional techniques are illustrated by the formation of modern space-time representation in the study of kinematics. Emphasis is placed on the geometric interpretation of the Galilean transformations. Together with three rotations, which determined by Euler angles, and three spatial shifts and a shift in time, they define the four-dimensional non-Euclidean geometry of space-time mechanics of Galileo, Newton. We discuss the relative status of the length of the trajectory and the inability to determine the length of the moving body diagram (world line) in four-dimensional space-time of Galileo, Newton. On the simple examples are demonstrated the need for experimental verification of the "obvious" assumptions about the immutability of the readings of moving and fixed hours and rulers. It is emphasized that the hypothesis of the existence of absolute rigid bodies, Newton's third law and the law of velocities addition in Newtonian mechanics lead to physically paradoxical conclusion about the existence of infinite velocity of material bodies motion. The history and physical preconditions create special relativity by Lorentz, Poincaré and Einstein are described. We discuss the geometric interpretation of the observed dependence of the atomic clock rate on the change of the gravitational potential. The idea that conceptions of the physical space-time have an world outlook and cultural value run through the whole text. The material presented in the form of an essay with the necessary historical references and analogies that promote understanding of the issues involved a wide range of readers, including the humanities.