POGIL: Length Contraction We've seen that the motion of an object affects the passage of time.

We will now look at how the motion of an object affects space itself. Motion and Length Measurements In the picture below, Sam is riding in a cart that is traveling at a constant velocity of 0.9c relative to Frank. I'm Sam. Oh yeah! 0.9c Frank decides to measure the length of the cart in his inertial reference frame. He does this finding that it takes 10 ns for the length of the cart to pass by. 1. What length does Frank measure for the cart in his inertial reference frame? Frank

Suppose that Sam decides to measure the length of the cart in his inertial reference frame by a similar method. He times how long it takes the length of the cart to pass by Frank. 2. Based on Frank's time measurement, what time interval will Sam measure in his inertial reference frame?

3. What length does Sam measure for the cart in his inertial reference frame?

The length that Sam has measured is called a proper length because it is measured in an inertial reference frame in which the cart is at rest. 4. Compare your answers to questions 1 and 3 and suggest a reason for any differences.

STOP HERE AND CHECK YOUR RESULTS WITH YOUR FRIENDLY PHYSICS TEACHER. Length Contraction Another assumption we have made in studying mechanics is that the length of an object is the same in all reference frames. Like time intervals, it also sneaked by us without our realizing it. The theory of

special relativity shows that this assumption is incorrect. Instead, the motion of an object affects space itself. If Lo is the proper length of an object along its direction of motion (that is, the length of an object as measured when it is at rest), then its length L along its direction of motion in any other inertial reference frame is L=Lo 1

v2 , c2

where v is the speed of the object in the inertial reference frame and c is the speed of light. Take some time to read p. 978-980 to see where this equation comes from. 5. How long is a meter stick in the following reference frames? (a) the meter stick is moving at 0.95c along its length

(b) the meter stick is moving at half the speed of light along its length

(c) the meter stick is moving at 100 m/s along its length

(d) the meter stick is moving at 0.8c perpendicular to its length

6. The closest star to the Earth is called Proxima Centauri; it is 4.22 light years away. This means that a light beam would take 4.22 years to travel from the star to the Earth as measured in the Earth's reference frame; assume this reference frame is inertial, even though in reality it is not. (a) Why is the reference frame of the Earth not an inertial reference frame?

(b) What is the distance to Proxima Centauri in meters as measured in the Earth's inertial reference frame?

(c) Suppose we travel to this star aboard a space ship traveling at a constant velocity of 0.9c. How far away is the star, as measured the the ship's inertial reference frame?

(d) How long will it take us to travel to the star, as measured in the ship's inertial reference frame?

(e) How long will it take us to travel to the star according to observers in the Earth's inertial reference frame?