Length Contraction & Angled Motion

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if length contraction only applies in the direction of motion, then what happens if there is an angle to the direction of motion that's not perpendicular?
 
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asdf1 said:
if length contraction only applies in the direction of motion, then what happens if there is an angle to the direction of motion that's not perpendicular?
I assume you are asking "What happens to the length in a direction that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of motion?" If that is what you mean, then the answer is:

Resolve the length into two components, one of which is parallel to the direction of motion and the other of which is perpendicular to it. The length of the component that is parallel to the direction of motion will contract, but the length of the component that is perpendicular will not. Recombine the new components and take the length of the resultant. Compare the length of the resultant to the original length. That is the contraction.
 
thank you very much! :)
 

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