Rigid body motion in special relativity

Jerrold Franklin

doi:10.1007/s10701-013-9757-x

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arXiv · 1105.3899

Rigid body motion in special relativity

Jerrold Franklin

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Abstract

We study the acceleration and collisions of rigid bodies in special relativity. After a brief historical review, we give a physical definition of the term `rigid body' in relativistic straight line motion. We show that the definition of `rigid body' in relativity differs from the usual classical definition, so there is no difficulty in dealing with rigid bodies in relativistic motion. We then describe: 1. The motion of a rigid body undergoing constant acceleration to a given velocity. 2. The acceleration of a rigid body due to an applied impulse. 3. Collisions between rigid bodies.

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Jerrold Franklin. 2011-05-19. Rigid body motion in special relativity. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-013-9757-x

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