Why is the relativistic length contraction – as it appears in the Lorentz transformation – a function of the speed of light?
2006-10-31 18:38:43 · 2 answers · asked by quantum 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It isn't, the variable is the proper length (length at rest). Relativistic length contraction is a function of the object's velocity and initial length.
The Lorentz tranformation is: L1 = Lo/(y), where y is the Lorentz factor.
The speed of light only occurs in the Lorentz factor portion, where
y = 1/ Sqrt(1 - u/c)), where c = speed of light
u = velocity
The Lorentz factor is simply a common term that frequently appears in the equations and is equal to the time light takes to travel from one perspective. See the link for further details.
2006-10-31 18:58:13 · answer #1 · answered by John H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is a consequence of the invariance of the speed of light.
2006-10-31 20:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by Seshagiri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋