Observing another reference frame in relative motion, objects will appear contracted.
- Only occurs for the length in the direction of the velocity, not those perpindular to it.
- Is a reciprocal/symmetric effect just like Time Dilation
- Very related to Time Dilation
Why Contraction?
is the stationary reference frame, while is the one is relative motion. We want the length measured from in terms of the Proper Length
is the Proper Length given by is given by , measured from by 2 observers simulateously → Because we are given the relevant information we use the inverse
Extra Info
- Also called Lorentz Contraction
- The length in the direction of motion
is contracted by a factor of See Lorentz Factor for more on that 3. Is an explanation of Michelson-Morley Experiment 4. Originated from Einstein’s exploration of simplifying Maxwell’s Equations under Galilean Transformation, publishing Special Relativity