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Understanding the causes for "length contraction" and "time dilation"
Figure 1 represents the simple case where one of the
reference frames is at rest in the qm. When both the observer's reference frame and the
reference frame of the observed phenomena are moving through the qm, the multiple causes for
observed length contraction and time dilation are even less apparent. By analyzing specific
cases and determining what the observers in each reference frame will observe (as was done on
preceding pages) it becomes apparent that the observations are always in agreement with the
predictions of Eq. (3).
As the reader may know, special relativity is no less difficult
to understand. The difficulty may be due to the fact that special relativity does not
explain logical causes for relativistic phenomena. The Physics Education Research
supplement to the July 2001 issue of the American Journal of Physics contains a paper
(pgs s24-s35) explaining a study of student understanding of special relativity theory. The
first paragraph of the Conclusion reads as follows.
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This investigation has identified widespread difficulties that
students have with the definition of the time of an event and the role of intelligent
observers. After instruction, more than two-thirds of physics undergraduates and one-third of
graduate students in physics are unable to apply the construct of a reference frame in
determining whether or not two events are simultaneous. Many students interpret the phrase
"relativity of simultaneity" as implying that the simultaneity of events is determined by an
observer on the basis of the reception of light signals. They often attribute the
relativity of simultaneity to the difference in signal travel time for different observers.
In this way, they reconcile statements of the relativity of simultaneity with a belief in
absolute simultaneity and fail to confront the startling ideas of special relativity.
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Readers who understand the multiple causes for "length
contraction" and "time dilation" explained on the preceding pages should find the remainder
of this document understandable, and they will also find it unnecessary to abandon the logical
concepts of absolute distance, time and simultaneity.
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