Special relativity help: meter stick moving at 0.60c

AI Thread Summary
When a meter stick moves at 0.60c, its length contracts due to the effects of special relativity, leading to a measured length L that falls within the range of 0.80 m to 1.0 m. The calculation of gamma (γ) confirms that length contraction occurs, but the range arises because the observer's measurement depends on the relative velocity between the observer and the meter stick. The meter stick's proper length is 1 m when at rest, but as it approaches relativistic speeds, its length appears shorter to the observer. This range reflects the variability in measurements based on different relative velocities and the principles of length contraction. Understanding these concepts clarifies why the length of the moving meter stick is not fixed but varies within specified limits.
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A meter sticks moves with velocity 0.60c relative to an observer. The observer measures the length of the meter stick to be L. The problem states that 0.80<L<1.0 m must always be true.
So far, I have determined that
Gamma = 1/sqrt(1-0.60c^2/c^2) = 0.8.
What I don't understand is why there is a range. If the meter stick is 1 m when it is not moving and 0.8m when it is moving at 0.80c, why is there a range for the length?
 
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