Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction
- Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction
-
/lawr"euhnts fits jer"euhld, lohr"-/,
Physics.
[1920-25]
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or space contraction
In
relativity physics, the shortening of an object along the direction of its motion relative to an observer.
Dimensions in other directions are not contracted. This concept was proposed by the Irish physicist George F. FitzGerald (1851–1901) in 1889 and later independently developed by Hendrik Antoon Lorentz. Significant at speeds approaching that of
light, the contraction results from the properties of space and time, not from compression, cooling, or any similar physical disturbance. See also
time dilation.
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also called space contraction,
in relativity physics, the shortening of an object along the direction of its motion relative to an observer. Dimensions in other directions are not contracted. The concept of the contraction was proposed by the Irish physicist George FitzGerald (
FitzGerald, George Francis) in 1889, and it was thereafter independently developed by Hendrik Lorentz (
Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon) of The Netherlands. The
Michelson-Morley experiment in the 1880s had challenged the postulates of classical physics by proving that the
speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. FitzGerald and Lorentz attempted to preserve the classical concepts by demonstrating the manner in which space contraction of the measuring apparatus would reduce the apparent constancy of the speed of light to the status of an experimental artifact.
In 1905 the German-American physicist Albert Einstein (
Einstein, Albert) reversed the classical view by proposing that the speed of light is indeed a universal constant and showing that space contraction then becomes a logical consequence of the relative motion of different observers. Significant at speeds approaching that of light, the contraction is a consequence of the properties of space and time and does not depend on compression, cooling, or any similar physical disturbance.
See also time dilation.
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Universalium.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction — Lorenco susitraukimas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. Lorentz contraction; Lorentz Fitzgerald contraction vok. Lorentz Kontraktion, f; Lorentz Fitzgerald Kontraktion, f rus. лоренцово сжатие, n pranc. contraction de Lorentz, f;… … Fizikos terminų žodynas
lorentz-fitzgerald contraction — ˈlōrˌen(t)s noun Usage: usually capitalized L&F&G Etymology: after Hendrik A. Lorentz died 1928 Du. physicist and George F. FitzGerald died 1901 Irish physicist : fitzgerald contraction * * * /lawr euhnts fits jer euhld, lohr /, Physics. See … Useful english dictionary
Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction — /ˌlɒrənts fɪtsˈdʒɛrəld kənˌtrækʃən/ (say .loruhnts fits jeruhld kuhn.trakshuhn) noun the hypothetical contraction in length in the direction of movement which bodies at high velocity suffer, shown to be demonstrable in terms of the relativity… …
Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction — noun the decrease in length of a moving object in the direction of motion; measurable only at relativistic speeds … Wiktionary
contraction de Lorentz-Fitzgerald — Lorenco susitraukimas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. Lorentz contraction; Lorentz Fitzgerald contraction vok. Lorentz Kontraktion, f; Lorentz Fitzgerald Kontraktion, f rus. лоренцово сжатие, n pranc. contraction de Lorentz, f;… … Fizikos terminų žodynas
Lorentz-Fitzgerald Kontraktion — Lorenco susitraukimas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. Lorentz contraction; Lorentz Fitzgerald contraction vok. Lorentz Kontraktion, f; Lorentz Fitzgerald Kontraktion, f rus. лоренцово сжатие, n pranc. contraction de Lorentz, f;… … Fizikos terminų žodynas
FitzGerald contraction — Physics. the hypothesis that a moving body exhibits a contraction in the direction of motion when its velocity is close to the speed of light. Also called FitzGerald Lorentz contraction /fits jer euhld lawr ents, lohr /, Lorentz FitzGerald… … Universalium
Fitzgerald contraction — /ˈfɪtsdʒɛrəld kənˌtrækʃən/ (say fitsjeruhld kuhn.trakshuhn) noun → Lorentz Fitzgerald contraction …
FitzGerald contraction — (also FitzGerald–Lorentz contraction) noun Physics the shortening of a moving body in the direction of its motion, especially at speeds close to that of light. Origin named after George. F. Fitzgerald, Irish physicist, and the Dutch physicist H.… … English new terms dictionary
fitzgerald contraction — n. (also FitzGerald effect) (in full FitzGerald Lorentz) Physics the shortening of a moving body in the direction of its motion esp. at speeds close to that of light. Etymology: G. F. FitzGerald, Ir. physicist d. 1901 and H. A. Lorentz, Du.… … Useful english dictionary
