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Volume 37: Pages 169-171, 2024
The length contraction paradox
Chandru Iyera)
C3/15A first floor, DLF Phase 1, Gurugram 122002, Haryana, India
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Reciprocal length contraction and time dilation, as enshrined in the Lorentz transformation, are the bulwark of the special relativity theory. Reciprocal time dilation is typically discussed (in the context of its apparent contradiction) and usually explained away as the result of differing synchronization in inertial reference frames and the relativity of simultaneity. Further, it is generally suggested that time is an abstract concept, and its perceptions may differ with context. However, we suggest that regarding length measurements no such abstraction can be envisaged. In this manuscript, we examine the reciprocal length contraction in detail to assess whether it leads to any contradiction.
La contraction réciproque des longueurs et la dilatation du temps, telles que consacrées par la transformation de Lorentz, constituent le rempart de la théorie de la relativité restreinte. La dilatation réciproque du temps est généralement discutée (dans le contexte de son apparente contradiction) et généralement expliquée comme le résultat d'une synchronisation différente dans les cadres de référence inertiels et de la relativité de la simultanéité. En outre, il est généralement suggéré que le temps est un concept abstrait et que ses perceptions peuvent varier en fonction du contexte. Cependant, nous pensons que pour les mesures de longueur, une telle abstraction n'est pas envisageable. Dans ce manuscrit, nous examinons en détail la contraction réciproque des longueurs afin de déterminer si elle conduit à une contradiction.
Key words: Special Relativity; Length Contraction; Lorentz Transformation; Time Dilation; Synchronization.
Received: 11 December 2023; Accepted 30 April 2024; Published Online: 21 May 2024.
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