I Length contraction: Is it permanent?

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The discussion centers on the concept of length contraction in the context of special relativity, specifically whether the length of a rod remains the same after being thrown at relativistic speeds. It is established that if both rods are accelerated in a Born-rigid manner, their lengths will be perceived as the same when compared by an observer at rest. However, if the rods are not accelerated in this manner, material modeling becomes necessary to determine their lengths. The conversation also highlights the relativity of simultaneity and the absence of an absolute rest frame, emphasizing that length contraction is dependent on the observer's perspective. Ultimately, the idea of permanent length contraction is challenged, suggesting that such a phenomenon would lead to inconsistencies in the physical properties of matter.
  • #31
Bertrand Boucquillon said:
I'm not looking to argue what the sun is made of
Neither are we. We are just pointing out that everything around you is made up of a mix of matter that has traveled at relativistic speeds relative to its current state and matter that has not. Your idea would have physical consequences that we don't see. It's a non-starter I'm afraid.

Edit: not to mention, what does an observer co-moving with the moving rod see? According to Bob the rod accelerated from rest. According to this new observer the rod decelerated to rest. Should it be showing these after-effects of length contraction (because it has decelerated according to the new observer) or not (because it hasn't yet decelerated according to Bob)?

Like I said repeatedly before I understand that everybody believes that length contraction doesn't change the physical properties and that it is about perception, but did you guys just accept it because it's what has been said by scientists 50 years ago or did you research the proof?
Please see my previous paragraph. And my previous post. And the post by Orodruin that you quoted...
 
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  • #32
Bertrand Boucquillon said:
Please be patient with me because I take this thread very seriously(I've been ignoring my customers for the past couple days just to focus on my research), I do hope you guys can keep an open mind about things and not get upset just because I'm questioning what is believed by the community.
There is an overwhelming amount of experimental evidence for the consequences of SR and GR. So much in fact that any description even attempting to build further must include them. This quoted text rings large warning bells to me as it seems to suggest you do not "believe" in the effects of relativity and therefore has started to work on your own theory. This is doomed to fail. The effects are well established experimental facts. Also note that Physics Forums, while encouraging asking questions to learn and understand, forbids the discussion of personal theories and speculation.

The original question has been answered several times over. I am therefore closing this thread.
 

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