Length contraction (AQA A-Level Physics): Flashcards

Objects moving at high speeds appear shorter in direction of motion relative to stationary observer

Length measured by observer at rest relative to the object

$l = l_0 \sqrt{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}$

$l$ decreases, object appears shorter

Only length in direction of motion, not width or height

Muon decay experiments

180 m

$6.0 \times 10^{-7}$ s

Expected: 76 $s^{-1}$, Observed: 80 $s^{-1}$ (close match)

Should not be applied simultaneously in single calculation