Contraction effects at relativistic velocities

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The discussion centers on the effects of length contraction at relativistic speeds, specifically whether a rod moving perpendicular to its length experiences contraction. It is clarified that only the length in the direction of motion contracts, meaning the perpendicular length remains unchanged. The conversation also touches on the simultaneity of events from different frames of reference, highlighting that observers may perceive events differently based on their relative motion. A scenario involving two ships and guns firing at relativistic speeds illustrates the complexities of simultaneity and contraction, concluding that bullets would miss the ship due to these relativistic effects. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding relativity in analyzing motion and events in different frames.
  • #61
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would gun A or gun B shoot first if they shot off at the same time according to the planet?
i know one of them shoots before the other. in which case, instead of shooting off two guns, the planet launches a ship. i assume since both sides of the ship are being launched at the same time one side of the ship would take off before the other from the view of ship A.
 
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  • #62
bino said:
would gun A or gun B shoot first if they shot off at the same time according to the planet?
i know one of them shoots before the other.
According to who? See post #49. (The ship will say gun B fires first.)
in which case, instead of shooting off two guns, the planet launches a ship. i assume since both sides of the ship are being launched at the same time one side of the ship would take off before the other from the view of ship A.
I assume you mean that a large ship taking off vertically with thrusters at each end firing simultaneously according to the planet? Then, correct, the moving ship will observe the front thruster to fire before the back one. There are no "rigid" bodies in relativity.
 
  • #63
i was asking as if there were a ship that had one engine where gun A is and one engine where gun B is. both engines would be launching at the same time according to the planet. and since gun B fires before gun A then engine B would launch before engine A according to ship A. in which case the ship B would be taking off crooked according to ship A. right?
 
  • #64
i was asking as if there were a ship that had one engine where gun A is and one engine where gun B is. both engines would be launching at the same time according to the planet. and since gun B fires before gun A then engine B would launch before engine A according to ship A. in which case the ship B would be taking off crooked according to ship A. right?
 

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