description Length contraction Overview
According to special relativity, an object's length appears shorter in the direction of motion when observed by someone relative to whom it is moving at a significant fraction of the speed of light.
help Length contraction FAQ
What does length contraction mean in special relativity?
Length contraction means an object measured from a frame in which it is moving is shorter along its direction of motion. The effect comes from Einstein's special relativity, published in 1905.
Does the object itself feel squeezed during length contraction?
No, in the object's own rest frame its proper length is unchanged. The shorter length is what another inertial observer measures when the object is moving relative to them.
What is the formula for length contraction?
The usual formula is L = L0 / gamma, where gamma = 1 / sqrt(1 - v^2/c^2). Here L0 is the proper length, v is relative speed, and c is the speed of light.
Can length contraction be noticed at everyday speeds?
No, at car, aircraft, or spacecraft speeds used today the effect is far too small to notice directly. It becomes significant only when v is a substantial fraction of the speed of light.
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