Physics Notes - Herong's Tutorial Notes
∟Length Contraction in Special Relativity
This chapter provides an introduction of length contraction in special relativity. Topics include a thought experiment showing length contraction; deriving length contraction formula; reciprocity of length contraction.
Length Contraction - Moving Object Is Shorter
Demonstration of Length Contraction
Length Contraction Formula and Lorentz Factor
Reciprocity of Length Contraction
Takeaways:
- Length contraction in special relativity refers to the phenomenon of
difference of object lengths in the moving direction as measured by observers in different inertial frames
that are moving relative to each other.
- Special relativity predicts that the length of a moving object is contracted (shorter)
when measured in a stationary frame in the moving direction.
- Length contraction is reciprocal: moving object is shorter when measured by a stationary observer;
and stationary object is shorter when measured by a moving observer.
- Length contraction factor is sqrt(1-(v/c)**2).
Table of Contents
About This Book
Introduction of Space
Introduction of Frame of Reference
Introduction of Time
Introduction of Speed
Newton's Laws of Motion
Introduction of Special Relativity
Time Dilation in Special Relativity
►Length Contraction in Special Relativity
The Relativity of Simultaneity
Introduction of Spacetime
Minkowski Spacetime and Diagrams
Introduction of Hamiltonian
Introduction of Lagrangian
Introduction of Generalized Coordinates
Phase Space and Phase Portrait
References
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