Lorentz contraction In relativity theory, the length of an

QUESTION:

Lorentz contraction In relativity theory, the length of an object, say a rocket, appears to an observer to depend on the speed at which the object is traveling with respect to the observer. If the observer measures the rocket's length as \(L_{0}\) at rest, then at speed \(v\) the length will appear to be

                                                   \(L=L_{0} \sqrt{1-\frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}\)

This equation is the Lorentz contraction formula. Here, \(c\) is the speed of light in a vacuum, about \(3 \times 10^{8}\) m/sec. What happens to \(L\) as \(v\) increases? Find \(\lim _{v \rightarrow c^{-}} L\). Why was the left-hand limit needed?

Equation Transcription:

Text Transcription:

L_0

v

L=L_o sqrt 1-v^2/c^2

c

3x10^8

L

v

lim_v rightarrow c^- L