- #51
OscarCP
I wrote that because I thought we were no longer considering physically impossible or practically unrealizable bodies: rigid, Born.Nugatory said:
I Relativity paradox: rocket landing in a cylinder
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A rocket landing in a cylinder presents a paradox due to Lorentz contraction, leading to potential damage to both the rocket's head and the cylinder's floor, depending on the observer's frame of reference. The discussion explores whether the rocket's engines can be timed to prevent damage to either part, suggesting that multiple engines may be necessary for distributed force. The concept of rigidity is debated, with participants noting that perfect rigidity is unattainable in relativity, as internal forces cannot propagate instantaneously. The conversation also touches on the complexities of deceleration and the implications of using Born rigidity to avoid deformation during landing. Ultimately, the challenge lies in reconciling the effects of acceleration and the finite speed of signal propagation within the framework of special relativity.