Understanding Cd^2 and Its Relationship to SR in Practice

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ddr
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the implications of Special Relativity (SR) in the context of a spinning CD with varying radii. As the CD spins, the outer radius experiences greater spatial velocity than the inner radius, leading to length contraction effects observed from a stationary point. When the critical speed is reached, the perceived geometry of the CD changes, resulting in a scenario where the outer and inner parameters equalize. The conversation emphasizes that while the radii do not physically shrink, the measurement of the circumference appears altered due to relativistic effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Special Relativity principles
  • Familiarity with concepts of length contraction
  • Knowledge of geometric properties of circles
  • Basic physics of rotational motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical implications of length contraction in Special Relativity
  • Explore the effects of rotational motion on relativistic measurements
  • Study the geometry of rotating bodies in relativistic physics
  • Investigate practical examples of SR in everyday phenomena
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and enthusiasts interested in the practical applications of Special Relativity and its effects on rotating objects.

ddr
this is about SR in practice...

imagine a Cd with inner radius r, outter radius R and middle radius d. the Cd starts to spin from 0 to some V spatial speed with respect to the radius d. as the speed increases all the perimeters shrink, but the outter one shrinks far beyound the inner because it has greater spatial velocity cause it corresponds to bigger radius. so when the speed of d-circle becomes some V (critical) the Cd will (in a SR kinda sense) turn into square ie. the outter and the inner parameters will equalize.
am I right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No. The radius does not shrink as it lies on a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion. But relative to us at the centre of the CD which the cd is moving relative to, we will have length contraction, which leads us to a value for circumference that is shorter than that obtained if we were moving with the CD. Therefore, the moving measurement would give values of pi that are not 3.14159...
 
I didn't meant that the radiuses are shrinking but the perimeters do cause the displacement is parallel with them.Ok?

I wonder what would a speeding fly look like in a relative sense?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 66 ·
3
Replies
66
Views
7K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
13K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K