Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland - a clarification

ahaanomegas

I don't have the book Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland, but I have heard about it. A little introduction is needed. Mr. Tompkins lives in a world where the speed of light is 20 mph. Here, of course, relativity must be taken into account almost always. I was wondering about length contraction, though. If Mr. Tompkins is riding his bike at a speed close to that of light, he looks thinner to those standing on the sidewalk and the men on the sidewalk look fatter to Mr. Tompkins. Am I right? I'm a little confused about that about what is seen to whom and who sees what.

Thanks in advance!

HallsofIvy

No. If Mr Topkins is moving at speed v relative to the people on the side walk, then they are moving at speed v relative to him. He sees them as thinner and they see him as thinner than if they were motionless relative to him.

Bob S

Here it is:
http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/tompkins.pdf

HallsofIvy

Nice link, thanks.