Why do objects appear to shrink as they approach the speed of light?

  • Thread starter Thread starter leftyguitarjo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Horizontal
Click For Summary
Objects appear to shrink as they approach the speed of light due to relativistic effects, particularly the way light from different parts of the object reaches an observer. As an object moves towards an observer at near-light speed, the light from the nearer end arrives sooner than light from the farther end, creating an illusion of contraction. This phenomenon is tied to the principles of special relativity, where time dilation and the finite speed of light play crucial roles. The distortion is not merely optical; it reflects the fundamental nature of space and time as described by relativity. Understanding this requires a grasp of how different frames of reference perceive motion and distance.
leftyguitarjo
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
Why, when nearing the speed of light, do objects appear to be shrinking to someone in a different frame of reference?

I understand time dilation, but not the horizontal distortion.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If an object is traveling towards an observer at near light speed, by the time the light from the near end of the object reaches the observer, the far end is much closer and the light reaches from the far end reaches the observer relatively sooner. I'm not sure if this is more than just an "optical" illusion under general relativity.
 

Thread 'Am I understanding the concept of proper frame of reference?'

MOVING CLOCKS In this section, we show that clocks moving at high speeds run slowly. We construct a clock, called a light clock, using a stick of proper lenght ##L_0##, and two mirrors. The two mirrors face each other, and a pulse of light bounces back and forth betweem them. Each time the light pulse strikes one of the mirrors, say the lower mirror, the clock is said to tick. Between successive ticks the light pulse travels a distance ##2L_0## in the proper reference of frame of the clock...
View full post »

Similar threads

High School Why does length contraction occur and how does it relate to time dilation?
  • · Replies 63 ·
3
Replies
63
Views
5K
Undergrad Perceive Length Contraction VS Terrell Penrose
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School No object actually approaches the speed of light
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad How can time only have one direction?
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
6K
High School Can the same ruler have two different sizes?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
High School Thought Experiment: Behavior of shadow of object moving at speed c
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
922
Undergrad A question about the speed of light and electromagnetism
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
High School Einstein thought experiment confusion: “light clock in a moving frame”
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Relative Speed of Light Between Objects
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about geometrical engineering (placeholder name)
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K