Problems on Length contraction

In summary, the problem involves calculating the length of a moving bar seen from a stationary reference frame, at different orientations. The length is found to be contracted in the direction of motion, with the amount of contraction determined by the Lorentz transformation. The length is maximum in the frame in which the object is at rest. The orientation of the bar affects the amount of contraction, with only the component of length parallel to the direction of motion being contracted.
  • #1
chingcx
21
0
Problems on "Length contraction"

Homework Statement


This is a problem in my text. The idea is that a bar is moving with a high speed (say 0.5c) relative to us. We now want to know what will be the length appeared to us if the bar is parallel, perpendicular and 60 degrees tilted. And we are asked when the bar is tilted, how long is it in the co-moving frame.


Homework Equations



L=(Lo)/y where Lo is the proper length

The Attempt at a Solution



First two are very straight-forward, but I can't understand the difference between the last two questions. I tried to resolve the velocity component but still I could not work it out.
Any explanation is appreciated, thank you in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Ok. So you know in this problem that the observer of the bar is going to see the bar a shorter length in the, let's say +x direction. The only parts of the bar that will shrink are the parts parallel to its' velocity; its not going to shrink vertically or diagonally. You will have to modify your Lorentz factor to account for the velocity in the x direction only.
 
  • #3
lcon.gif



The length of any object in a moving frame will appear foreshortened in the direction of motion, or contracted. The amount of contraction can be calculated from the Lorentz transformation. The length is maximum in the frame in which the object is at rest.

lencon.gif
 

Attachments

  • lcon.gif
    lcon.gif
    5.2 KB · Views: 516
  • lcon.gif
    lcon.gif
    5.2 KB · Views: 440
  • lencon.gif
    lencon.gif
    15.9 KB · Views: 999
  • #4
Winzer said:
Ok. So you know in this problem that the observer of the bar is going to see the bar a shorter length in the, let's say +x direction. The only parts of the bar that will shrink are the parts parallel to its' velocity; its not going to shrink vertically or diagonally. You will have to modify your Lorentz factor to account for the velocity in the x direction only.

Ok and thank you, but did you misunderstand my question? The bar is still moving in +x direction, but the orientation of the bar is not along +x direction, but make an angle of 60 degrees instead. So I think the velocity of the bar is still 0.5c in +x direction, and this is the thing I don't really understand...

physixguru said:
lcon.gif
The length of any object in a moving frame will appear foreshortened in the direction of motion, or contracted. The amount of contraction can be calculated from the Lorentz transformation. The length is maximum in the frame in which the object is at rest.

lencon.gif

Oh, I know this already, and this problem is somehow different in my opinion, thank you anyway.
 
  • #5
At a just got up guess, you have to resolve the velecity for the x direction (as it is now moving in two planes relative to the stationary reference frame. Also you need to resolve the apparent length in the x direction using simple trig?
 
  • #6
chingcx said:
Ok and thank you, but did you misunderstand my question? The bar is still moving in +x direction, but the orientation of the bar is not along +x direction, but make an angle of 60 degrees instead. So I think the velocity of the bar is still 0.5c in +x direction, and this is the thing I don't really understand...
Hint: Only the component of length parallel to the direction of motion will be contracted. Find the x & y dimensions in the proper ("moving") frame, then transform to the "stationary" frame.
 
  • #7
Doc Al said:
Hint: Only the component of length parallel to the direction of motion will be contracted. Find the x & y dimensions in the proper ("moving") frame, then transform to the "stationary" frame.

Thank you. In fact, the textbook problem set v=0.8c (relative to a frame S) and L=1m, and the answers are 0.917m (as observed in the stick's rest frame) and 0.832m (as observed in S) respectively.

From your hint, I get 0.917m, which I expected to be the length observed in S and I've no idea how 0.832m is arrived at. So what's the difference we will see in stick's rest frame and in S frame?
 
  • #8
The length of the stick in its rest frame is 1 m, of course. (That's what L = 1m means, I presume.) The length of the stick in frame S is about 0.917 m. I have no idea what 0.832 m is supposed to be.
 
  • #9


Is the bar still at a 60 degree angle as seen in the unmoving frame?
 
  • #10


richard7893 said:
Is the bar still at a 60 degree angle as seen in the unmoving frame?
No. Since only the horizontal dimension 'contracts', the angle of the bar must change.
 

1. What is Length Contraction?

Length contraction is a phenomenon in physics where an object's length appears to decrease when it is moving at high speeds relative to an observer.

2. What causes Length Contraction?

Length Contraction is caused by the effects of special relativity, which states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers regardless of their relative motion. As an object approaches the speed of light, its length will appear to contract in the direction of motion.

3. How is Length Contraction measured?

Length Contraction can be measured using the Lorentz transformation equations, which relate the measurements of an object's length in different reference frames. It can also be observed through experiments such as the famous Michelson-Morley experiment.

4. Does Length Contraction affect all objects?

Yes, Length Contraction affects all objects, regardless of their size or mass. However, the effect is only noticeable at speeds close to the speed of light.

5. What are the real-life applications of Length Contraction?

Length Contraction has significant implications for space travel, as it allows objects to appear shorter when traveling at high speeds, making it possible to fit through smaller spaces. It is also used in particle accelerators, where particles are accelerated to near light speed and appear to contract, allowing them to fit into smaller spaces for experiments.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
36
Views
651
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
671
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • Special and General Relativity
3
Replies
78
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top