8
QuizMultiple Choice

Special Relativity

Question 8 • 3262 CR Physics B 25/26

According to the concept of length contraction, what happens to the length of an object as it approaches the speed of light and then slows down, eventually coming to a stop?

Answer
A
It is always observed as contracting.
B
It is always observed as the same length.
C
It is observed as expanding and then contracting back to its original length.
D
It is observed as contracting and then expanding back to its original length.

Explanation

Length contraction means an object moving relative to an observer is measured as shorter along its direction of motion. As its speed increases toward the speed of light, the observed length contracts; as it slows down, the contraction decreases. When it comes to a stop relative to the observer, its measured length returns to its original rest length, so the correct choice is “It is observed as contracting and then expanding back to its original length.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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