Equations
Length contraction
Modern physics · id length_contraction
L = L_0 \sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit | Meaning | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
L | contracted length | m | Length measured by the observer | 1e-15 to 1e+15 |
L0 | proper length | m | Length in the object's rest frame | 1e-15 to 1e+15 |
v | relative speed | m/s | Speed of the object | 0 to 2.99792e+08 |
c | speed of light constant | m/s | Speed of light in vacuum |
Assumptions
- Inertial frames
- Length along the direction of motion
Valid when
- No extra conditions.
Found by
Questions with these words retrieve this equation: length contraction, relativity, special relativity, spaceship, fast moving.
Source
OpenStax University Physics Volume 3, Chapter 5 (reference; entry written by the project). License: MIT. Entry confidence: 0.99.