What is Lorentz contraction?
Q: What is Lorentz contraction?
A: Lorentz contraction is a phenomenon in which a moving object becomes shorter than it was when measured in its rest frame.
Q: What are some other names for Lorentz contraction?
A: Some other names for Lorentz contraction are Length contraction, Fitzgerald contraction, or Lorenz-Fitzgerald contraction.
Q: Why does the size of an object decrease when seen by someone moving towards or away from it?
A: The size of one object as seen by someone moving toward or away from it is decreased due to relativistic effects seen between observers moving toward or away from one another.
Q: What is the mathematical relationship between the speed of an object and the amount of contraction seen in it?
A: The amount of contraction seen is mathematically related to the speed of the object as well as the speed of light.
Q: What is the origin of the limerick quoted by physicist George Gamow in his book?
A: The limerick quoted by physicist George Gamow in his book is said to have been changed from a more naughty poem.
Q: Can you provide a cleaned-up version of the limerick?
A: There once was a young man named Fisk, whose fencing was extremely brisk. So fast was his action, the Lorentz contraction, foreshortened his foil to a disk.
Q: What is the book in which physicist George Gamow quoted the limerick?
A: Physicist George Gamow quoted the limerick in his book, One, Two, Three...Infinity.
