Why Does a Moving Rod Appear Inclined in Different Reference Frames?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the apparent inclination of a moving rod in different reference frames, specifically using Lorentz transformations. The coordinates of the rod's tips in frame S' are defined as C₀ = (t', 0, ut', 0) and C₁ = (t', L, ut', 0). The angle φ is derived using the relationship tan(φ) = Δx/Δy, with Δx calculated as γL. The challenge lies in determining Δy, as the calculations suggest that Δy equals zero, indicating a misunderstanding of the rod's orientation in the reference frames.

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Homework Statement
A ##S'## frame moves with velocity ##v\hat{e_{x}}## with respect to a S frame.



There's a rod with length ##L##, parallel to the ##x'## axis moving with velocity ##u \hat{e_{y'}}##.



Show that the rod seems inclined and what's the inclination angle?
Relevant Equations
##t = \gamma (t' + vx')##

##x = \gamma(x' + vt')##

##t' = \gamma (t - vx)##

##x' = \gamma(x - vt)##
Ateempt of solution:

There are two key coordinates in this scenario, the leftmost tip of the rod, which in ##S'## is ##C_{0} = (t', 0, ut',0)## and the opposite tip
##C_{1} = (t', L,ut',0)##

An angle ##\phi## could be found through a relationship such as ##tan(\phi) = \frac{ \Delta x}{ \Delta y} ##

For ##\Delta x## I have
## x_{0} = \gamma ( x_{0'} + vt') = \gamma vt'## and

##x_{1} = \gamma (x_{1'} + vt') = \gamma (L + vt')##.

##\Delta x = \gamma (L + vt' - vt') = \gamma L##

For ##\Delta y## I'm not sure how to calculate its coordinates in ##S##. Should I use the velocity composition formula? The lorentz transformations would be trivially applied then?

Edit:
I tried to deduce a composition for this case in the following manner

In ##S'##, ##u_{s'} = \frac {\Delta y'}{\Delta t'} ##

I can write these for ##S## to find ##\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta t}##

##u_{s'} = \frac {\Delta y}{\gamma (\Delta t - v \Delta x)} ## and dividing by ##\Delta t##

##u_{s'} = \frac{ u_{s}}{\gamma (1 - v u_{s})}##

Solving for ##u_{s}## I get ##u_{s} = \frac{ u_{s'} \gamma}{1+ \gamma u_{s'} v}##

So to find the ##y## coordinates do I use

##y = \gamma_{u_{s}} (y' + u_{s} t')##

but this is wrong because all these parameters are the same for both ##C_{0'}## and ##C_{1'}##, what would imply ##y_{0} = y_{1}## hence ##\Delta y = 0##
 
Last edited:
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The rod is parallel to the ##x'## axis. You have it parallel to the ##y'## axis.
 
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PeroK said:
The rod is parallel to the x′ axis. You have it parallel to the y′ axis.
Thanks, I'll edit the post
 

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