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From: stekas@hou2g.UUCP (J.STEKAS)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Relativistic Paradox problem
Message-ID: <168@hou2g.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 13-Feb-84 11:53:50 EST
Article-I.D.: hou2g.168
Posted: Mon Feb 13 11:53:50 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Feb-84 05:43:51 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 31

Ok, the no paper/no pencil problem was too easy.

Consider the following paradox.  Suppose arrows of length L are fired
through a tube of slightly shorter length.  If the arrows are fired at
a high enough velocity, they will be sufficiently Lorentz contracted
to be completely contained within the tube.  Therefore, one should be
able to take a photo of the tube while the arrow was completely inside
it, and none of the arrow showing.

                      ________________________________

                        >--------ARROW------------>

                      ________________________________

But using the same arguement, form the arrows point of view it is the
the TUBE which is Lorentz contracted.  Therefore, any picture of the arrow
passing through the tube should show it sticking out the end.

                           ______________________

                       >---------ARROW-------------->

                           ______________________


What would the picture show?   If this isn't a paradox, how does one reconcile
the two points of view?

                     
                                                          Jim