The length of a rod is measured by an experimenter. Initially, both the experimenter and the rod are stationary with respect to the lab. Evaluate the following statements: (A) If the rod begins to travel parallel to its length while the observer remains stationary, the measured length will decrease. (B) If the rod remains stationary but the observer begins to travel parallel to the measured length of the rod, the len

Step-by-step solution

The proper length of the rod is measured when both the rod and the observer are at rest relative to each other. Let this length be L₀ . According to the special theory of relativity, when there is a relative velocity v between the rod and the observer parallel to the length of the rod, the measured length L is given by the length contraction formula L = L₀ 1 - v^2 c^2 . In statement A, the rod moves with respect to the stationary observer, creating a relative velocity. Thus, the measured length decreases. In statem