7F10.32 - Relativistic Meter Sticks

Code Number:
7F10.32
Demo Title:
Relativistic Meter Sticks
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Relativity and Length Contraction
Area of Study:
Modern Physics
Equipment:
Set of Relativistic Meter Sticks.
Procedure:

The meter sticks are magnetic so that they will attach directly to the boards in LR. I and LR. II, and to the white board that can be moved into LR. 70.

References:
  • Steven L. Morris, "Relativistic Velocityes That Are Easy to Transform", TPT, Vol. 61, #1, Jan. 2023, p. 65.
  • Fred Belhroozi, "A Simple Derivation of Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity", TPT, Vol. 52, #7, Oct. 2014, p. 410.
  • J. Ronald Galli and Farhang Amiri, "The Square Light Clock and Special Relativity", TPT, Vol. 50, #4, Apr. 2012, p. 212. 
  • John F. Devlin, "A More Intuitive Version of the Lorentz Velocity Addition Formula", TPT, Vol. 47, #7, Oct. 2009, p. 442.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Relativistic Metersticks", TPT, Vol. 38, #5, May 2000, p. 315. 
  • Abe Korn, "How Fast is Fast?", TPT, Vol. 32, #3, Mar. 1994, p. 164.
  • Carlton A. Lane, "A Little Frosting?", TPT, Vol. 31, #2, Feb. 1993, p. 68.
  • K. James, N. Anzai, L. Sanchez, H. Hickman, and P. Di Croce, "Analog Device for Lorentz Calculations", TPT, Vol. 30, #8, Nov. 1992, p. 464.
  • Carlton A. Lane, "Space Travelers, Beware!", TPT, Vol. 30, #7, Oct. 1992, p. 397.
  • Robert W. Flynn, "The Relativistic Velocity Addition Formula: A Graphical Solution", TPT, Vol. 29, #8, Nov. 1991, p. 524.
  • David Chandler, "An Expanding Universe in the Classroom", TPT, Vol. 29, #2, Feb. 1991, p. 103.
  • Robert Marzewski and Paul Hickman, "Quantum Frog Race", TPT, Vol. 26, #8, Nov. 1988, p. 514.
  • Richard C. Henry, "Erratum: 'Special Relativity Made Transparent' [Phys. Teach. 23, 536 (1985)]", TPT, Vol. 24, #7, Oct. 1986, p. 430.
  • Richard C. Henry, "Erratum: 'Special Relativity Made Transparant' [Phys. Teach. 23, 536 (1985)]", TPT, Vol. 24, #6, Sept. 1986, p. 363.
  • Richard C. Henry, "Special Relativity Made Transparent", TPT, Vol. 23, #9, Dec. 1985, p. 536.
  • John Walters, "Time Dilation and the Lorentz Contraction", TPT, Vol. 20, #1, Jan. 1982, p. 42.
  • Maria B. Penny, Steve Bryant, Hien An, and Donald E. Tilley, "Does Relativistic Length Contraction Change Physical Properties?", TPT, Vol. 18, #8, Nov. 1980, p. 610.
  • William M. DeCampli, "A Gedanken Experiment to Demonstrate Lorentz Contraction", TPT, Vol. 13, #7, Oct. 1975, p. 420.
  • Len Zane, "Photographing a Meter Stick Moving at Relativistic Speeds", AJP, Vol. 92, #2, Feb. 2024, p. 157.
  • B. Cameron Reed, "A New Graphical Depiction of the Barn and Pole Paradox", AJP, Vol. 89, #10, Oct. 2021, p. 927.
  • Aleksander Gjurchinovski, "Reflection of Light from a Uniformly Moving Mirror", AJP, Vol. 72, #10, Oct. 2004, p. 1316.
  • Hrvoje Nikolić, "Relativistic Contraction of an Accelerated Rod", AJP, Vol. 67, #11, Nov. 1999, p. 1007.
  • Manfred Bucher, "Diagrams for Relativistic Length Contraction and Time Dilation", AJP, Vol. 56, #10, Oct. 1988, p. 941.
  • G. P. Sastry, "Is Length Contraction Really Paradoxical?", AJP, Vol. 55, #10, Oct. 1987, p. 943.
  • Hon Fai Yau, "Additional Contraction When a Stick is Accelerated", AJP, Vol. 50, #3, Mar. 1982, p. 278.
  • Roberto de A. Martins, "Length Paradox in Relativity", AJP, Vol. 46, #6, June 1978, p. 667.
  • Arthur A. Evett, "A Relativistic Rocket Discussion Problem", AJP, Vol. 40, #8, Aug. 1972, p. 1170.
  • John A. Winnie, "The Twin-Rod Thought Experiment", AJP, Vol. 40, #8, Aug. 1972, p. 1091.
  • Donald W. Lang, "The Meter Stick in the Match Box", AJP, Vol. 38, #10, Oct. 1970, p. 1181.
  • G. D. Scott and M. R. Viner, "The Geometrical Appearance of Large Objects Moving at Relativistic Speed", AJP, Vol. 33, #7, July 1965, p. 534.
  • Neil Ashby, "Relativity and the Global Positioning System", Physics Today, Vol. 55, #5, May 2002, p. 41.
  • D. Rae Carpenter Jr. and Richard B. Minnix, "S-055. Water/Masses in Styrofoam Cup", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "12.10. Pole in the Garage Paradox", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 191.
  • "Puzzles and Paradoxes", Selected Reprints Published for The American Association of Physics Teachers by the American Institute of Physics.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.