# Homework Help: Lorentz Length Contraction Derivation

1. Dec 30, 2011

### ZedCar

In this video:

Special Relativity: Length contraction in more detail

for the derivation of Lorentz contraction equation at 2.48 the guy says, "I won't bore you with the details".

I'd appreciate is someone would please "bore" me with the details, as I'm struggling to do the algebra which he has not shown here in order to go to the next line.

Thank you

2. Dec 30, 2011

### BruceW

If you look at the uploader's comments, he made a mistake in the video at that bit. The equation should be:
$$\frac{L'}{v+c} + \frac{L'}{-v+c} = \frac{2L}{c} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1- \frac{v^2}{c^2}}}$$

From here, you need to rearrange.

3. Dec 30, 2011

### ZedCar

Well spotted BruceW, I hadn't noticed that.

I'm trying to arrange the formula you have above so it's equal to L'

I can't seem to manage it.

Concerning the LHS, I was thinking of multiplying (-v + c) with L', and multiplying (v + c) with L', and multiplying (v + c) with (c - v) to obtain (c^2 - v^2) as the denominator.

4. Dec 30, 2011

### The1337gamer

Yes, so on the LHS you want a common denominator so you can group the L' terms, then you can rearrange to get L' alone.

5. Dec 30, 2011

### ZedCar

I know denominator I have (c^2 - v^2) can be rearranged to become (c-v)(c+v) and I have both of these individually multiplied with an L' on the numerator.

6. Dec 30, 2011

### The1337gamer

What have you got so far? Have you grouped the L' terms?

7. Jan 4, 2012

### ZedCar

Is L' equal to

[L(c-v)(c+v)] / [c^2 * (1-v^2/c^2)^0.5]