The Relative Space: Space Measurements on a Rotating Platform
Abstract
Description
We introduce here the concept of relative space, an extended 3-space which is recognized as the only space having an operational meaning in the study of the space geometry of a rotating disk. Accordingly, we illustrate how space measurements are performed in the relative space, and we show that an old-aged puzzling problem, that is the Ehrenfest's paradox, is explained in this purely relativistic context. Furthermore, we illustrate the kinematical origin of the tangential dilation which is responsible for the solution of the Ehrenfest's paradox.
14 pages, 2 EPS figures, LaTeX, to appear in the European Journal of Physics
14 pages, 2 EPS figures, LaTeX, to appear in the European Journal of Physics