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Paradoxes of lengths shortening

Now we proceed to spatial concepts. Since all SRT conclusions follow from the invariance of an interval, then from the above-proved equality $dt=dt'$ and from (if we trust in it) relativistic equality $c=constant$ we obtain $dr=dr'$, and so it is not necessary to consider the concept of space further at all. However, to form the most complete viewpoint we shall, whenever possible, consider in this book each disputable point irrespective of remaining ones.

The contraction of lengths in SRT can not reflect a real physical effect, because various observers can see the same object in different manner (the non-objectiveness). Besides, the transition from one frame of reference to another can proceed rather rapidly, and this transition would be reflected in the whole (even infinite) Universe at once, which obviously contradicts the SRT-defended principle of finite rate of transmission of interactions and, hence the principle of causality. Therefore, a similar contraction is nothing more, than supplementary mathematical manipulations with quantities, some of which have no physical sense. The real physical mechanism can not be attracted to explaining the length contraction process in SRT, since the contraction should take place immediately at any velocity $v\ne 0$. In reality, however, it is clear, that in the acceleration process the object can not only be pushed, but also pulled behind yourself, and in such a case, instead of contraction, we would have stretching (experimentally detectable, by the way!). At slow constant acceleration this constant state of stretching would remain the same throughout the motion. Thus, the contraction will never begin.

Since SRT was created just as "a game with Einstein's light beams in absolutely empty space", any pseudo-paradoxes with use of an electromagnetic field (currents with contacts, lasers, light beams with mirrors etc.) can be easy resolved, and relativists slyly present them as allegedly lack of contradictions in SRT. For this purpose they simply make substitution and instead of real paradoxes "discuss" pseudo-paradoxes such invented or "added" by them with any electric contacts, allegedly effective explosions etc. So be attentive to such forgery! And now we proceed to some particular paradoxes of lengths shortening.



Subsections
next up previous contents
Next: The paradox of a cross Up: Kinematics of special relativity Previous: The Lorentz transformations   Contents
Sergey N. Arteha