Back to Discover
⚛️

Length contraction

physical science Maturity 11-13

Fast things look short.

Relativistic wheels.gif
Relativistic wheels.gif
When things move very fast, they shrink. This only happens in the way they move. It does not happen at normal speeds. It is a big surprise! Do you think you could see it?

40 words
🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Relativistic wheels.gif
Relativistic wheels.gif
File:Observer in special relativity.svg
Observer in special relativity.svg
File:Lorentzkontraktion.svg
Lorentzkontraktion.svg
File:EinsteinContraction.svg
EinsteinContraction.svg
File:Lorentz contractie - mural Leiden, 2017.jpg
Lorentz contractie - mural Leiden, 2017.jpg
File:Slabs.svg
Slabs.svg
Up Next
⚛️
Lorentz transformation
Physical Science
→
More to explore

✨ What else?

Related topics you might enjoy

Lorentz transformation 0% Lorentz factor 0% Moving magnet and conductor problem 0% Luminiferous aether 0% Michelson–Morley experiment 0% Special relativity 0%

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

Lorentz factor Moving magnet and conductor problem Theory of relativity Event horizon

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

Lorentz transformation Luminiferous aether Michelson–Morley experiment Special relativity
📚 Content adapted from Wikipedia | Readability: FK 14.2 | Vital Level 5