# Stretch and Squash

> Educational app demonstrating gravitational wave effects on space-time. (iPhone/iPad app by Laser Labs.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stretch-and-squash/id1082052185 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Laser Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076013854)
- Category: Education, Photo & Video
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.80/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 64 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-02-10
- Data updated: 2026-09-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stretch-and-squash/id1082052185/reviews.md

## What is Stretch and Squash?

Stretch and Squash demonstrates how a passing gravitational wave would stretch and squash the distances between objects. 

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time. They are produced by violent cosmic events, such as the collision of black holes. These ripples then travel through the universe at the speed of light. If they pass through Earth they change the distance between objects ever so slightly. Gravitational wave detectors have been built to measure these waves using kilometer-sized laser interferometers.

Stretch and Squash illustrates the different effects that gravitational waves in different polarisations would have on space. (Imagine the gravitational waves are passing straight through your computer screen!) The stretching and squashing is exaggerated visually in order to emphasise the effect.

## Key features

- Gravitational wave visualization
- Stretching and squashing effects
- Exaggerated visual emphasis
- Space-time ripple demonstration
- Educational physics concepts

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stretch-and-squash/id1082052185/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Simple but informative

*2020-06-27*

Could add Virgo to background picture

### 5/5 — Goo

*2019-08-06*

Cosby hn

## Frequently asked questions about Stretch and Squash

### What is Stretch and Squash?

Stretch and Squash is an educational application designed to visually demonstrate how gravitational waves affect the distances between objects in space-time. It exaggerates these effects for clarity.

### How does Stretch and Squash explain gravitational waves?

The app illustrates gravitational waves as ripples in space-time caused by cosmic events. It shows how these ripples can stretch and squash distances between objects as they pass through.

### What are the visual effects in Stretch and Squash?

Stretch and Squash exaggerates the stretching and squashing of distances to make the effects of gravitational waves more apparent to the user. It focuses on different polarizations of these waves.

### Is Stretch and Squash suitable for young learners?

Yes, Stretch and Squash has an age rating of 4+, making it accessible for younger audiences interested in learning about scientific concepts in an engaging way.

### What devices is Stretch and Squash available on?

Stretch and Squash is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, allowing users to explore physics concepts on their Apple mobile devices.

### When was Stretch and Squash last updated?

The latest version of Stretch and Squash was released on November 8, 2017, indicating it has not been updated recently.

### Does Stretch and Squash have ads?

No, Stretch and Squash does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted learning experience for its users.

### What is the user reception of Stretch and Squash?

Stretch and Squash has received a rating of 1.8 stars from 16 ratings, suggesting a generally negative user sentiment regarding its current state or functionality.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2017-11-08

- fixed a crash on iOS11

### 1.1 — 2017-09-14

- fixed a few minor bugs
- made app compatible with newer versions of Windows and iOS

### 1.0 — 2016-02-10

No release notes.

## More apps by Laser Labs

- [Pocket Black Hole](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-black-hole/id1076013855)
- [Space Time Quest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-time-quest/id1282496629)
- [Chirp - gravitational wave app](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chirp-gravitational-wave-app/id1484328193)

All apps by Laser Labs: https://appshunter.io/developer/1076013854

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-15.*