Supplemental Viewpoints of the Relativistic Length Contraction and Time Dilation Helpful to the Teaching of Introductory Special Relativity

1961 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 634-635
Author(s):  
R. H. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Time Dilation ◽  
Length Contraction ◽  
Relativistic Length

On the Experimental Proofs of Relativistic Length Contraction and Time Dilation

1998 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 977-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg D. Jefimenko
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Special Relativity ◽  
Time Dilation ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Length Contraction ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Basic Equations ◽  
Special Relativity Theory ◽  
Relativistic Length

Abstract Recent advances in the theory of electromagnetic retardation have made it possible to derive the basic equations of the special relativity theory and to duplicate the most important practical results of this theory without using the concepts of relativistic length contraction and time dilation. Thus the reality of these concepts appears to be questionable. It is imperative therefore to reexamine the experimental evidence supporting these concepts. The calculations presented in this paper show that some of the experiments allegedly proving the reality of length contraction and time dilation can be unambiguously interpreted as manifestations of velocity-dependent dynamical interactions taking place within the systems involved in the experiments rather than as manifestations of length contraction or time dilation.

scholarly journals Relativistic length agony continued

2014 ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.V. Redzic
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Everyday Language ◽  
Lorentz Contraction ◽  
Length Contraction ◽  
Length Reduction ◽  
Relativistic Length

We made an attempt to remedy recent confusing treatments of some basic relativistic concepts and results. Following the argument presented in an earlier paper (Redzic 2008b), we discussed the misconceptions that are recurrent points in the literature devoted to teaching relativity such as: there is no change in the object in Special Relativity, illusory character of relativistic length contraction, stresses and strains induced by Lorentz contraction, and related issues. We gave several examples of the traps of everyday language that lurk in Special Relativity. To remove a possible conceptual and terminological muddle, we made a distinction between the relativistic length reduction and relativistic FitzGerald-Lorentz contraction, corresponding to a passive and an active aspect of length contraction, respectively; we pointed out that both aspects have fundamental dynamical contents. As an illustration of our considerations, we discussed briefly the Dewan-Beran-Bell spaceship paradox and the ?pole in a barn? paradox.

The Block Universe from Special Relativity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Silberstein ◽  
W.M. Stuckey ◽  
Timothy McDevitt
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Time Dilation ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Philosophy Of Physics ◽  
Lorentz Transformations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Length Contraction ◽  
Foundations Of Physics ◽  
Main Thread ◽  
Block Universe

Before explaining how the God’s-eye view resolves the impasse of theoretical physics and foundations of physics created by the ant’s-eye view, the book presents a detailed argument for the block universe. Accordingly, the main thread of chapter 2 shows how the relativity of simultaneity resolves the paradoxes associated with time dilation and length contraction that result from special relativity. A short argument is then presented showing how the relativity of simultaneity implies a block universe, that is, the co-reality or co-existence of the past, present, and future. Philosophy of Physics for Chapter 2 provides a detailed argument for block universe, taking into account all counterarguments and assumptions of the abridged argument in the main thread. Foundational Physics for Chapter 2 shows how the second postulate of special relativity leads to time dilation and length contraction, and it contains the Lorentz transformations for the spacetime events used in the main thread.

The Equivalence Principle

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Wittman
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
Special Relativity ◽  
Equivalence Principle ◽  
Time Dilation ◽  
Gravitational Redshift ◽  
Coordinate Systems ◽  
Spacetime Metric

The equivalence principle is an important thinking tool to bootstrap our thinking from the inertial coordinate systems of special relativity to the more complex coordinate systems that must be used in the presence of gravity (general relativity). The equivalence principle posits that at a given event gravity accelerates everything equally, so gravity is equivalent to an accelerating coordinate system.This conjecture is well supported by precise experiments, so we explore the consequences in depth: gravity curves the trajectory of light as it does other projectiles; the effects of gravity disappear in a freely falling laboratory; and gravitymakes time runmore slowly in the basement than in the attic—a gravitational form of time dilation. We show how this is observable via gravitational redshift. Subsequent chapters will build on this to show how the spacetime metric varies with location.

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