The Bug-Rivet Paradox

The bug-rivet paradox is a variation on the twin paradox and is similar to the pole-barn paradox in that the ideas of simultaneity in relativity must be addressed. The fact that two events are simultaneous in one frame of reference does not imply that they are simultaneous as seen by an observer moving at a relativistic speed with respect to that frame.

To calculate the times for the two frames of reference, consider the rivet entering the hole and set t=t'=0 at that instant and x=x'=0 to establish the coordinate system. In the events described below, x' and t' refer to the rivet frame while x and t refer to the bug frame. The relativity factor = 2.29 and the Lorentz transformation is used to transform quantities from one frame to the other. Rivet frame of reference The rivet is considered to the be the reference frame, and x' and t' are used for positions and times. The end of the rivet hits the bottom of End of rivet enters hole: t' = 0 the hole before the Rivet head hits wall: t' = 0.8 cm/0.9c = 29.63 ps head of the rivet hits Rivet end hits length-contracted bottom of hole: the wall. So it looks t' = 1 cm/0.9c = 16.14 ps like the bug is squashed. Transforming the times to the bug's frame of reference: The bug disagrees with this analysis and finds the time End of rivet enters hole: t = 0 for the rivet head to Rivet head hits wall: t = (t'+vx'/c2) = 2.29(29.63 hit the wall is earlier than the time ps + (-0.9c)(0.8 cm)/c2) = 12.9 ps for the rivet end to Time for rivet to reach end of hole: t = reach the bottom of 2.29(16.14 ps) = 37.04 ps the hole. The paradox is not resolved. Bug frame of reference Front of rivet enters hole: t = 0 All this is nonsense from the bug's point of view. Index

 Head of rivet hits wall: t = 0.8 cm/0.9c = 12.91 ps

The rivet head hits the wall when the rivet end is just 0.35 cm down in the hole! The rivet doesn't get close to the bug.

Transforming the times measured in the bug's frame of reference to the rivet frame: Transforming times from the bug frame to the Rivet head impact time t' = (12.9 ps) = 29.63 ps rivet frame gives Rivet end in bug frame is simultaneously at x=-.35 a time for the end to reach -0.35 cm cm, but it is not simultaneous in the rivet frame. before the rivet Transforming gives t' =(12.9 ps - .9c(.0035)/c2) = head hits, and 5.63 ps. even suggests that If you try to find a rivet frame time when the rivet it reaches the end hits the bottom of the hole, x = -1 cm, t' bottom of the =(37.04 ps - .9c(.01)/c2) = 16.14 ps. hole before the rivet head hits. The paradox is not resolved. The Pole-Barn Paradox HyperPhysics***** Relativity
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The Pole-Barn Paradox

The pole-barn paradox is a famous variation on the twin paradox which must be addressed with the ideas of simultaneity in relativity. The fact that two events are simultaneous in one frame of reference does not imply that they are simultaneous as seen by an observer moving at a relativistic speed with respect to that frame. Index

To calculate the times for the two frames of reference, consider the pole entering the barn and set t=t'=0 at that instant and x=x'=0 to establish the coordinate system. In the events described below, x' and t' refer to the pole frame while x and t refer to the barn frame. The relativity factor = 2.29 and the Lorentz transformation is used to transform quantities from one frame to the other.

Barn frame of reference The barn is considered to the be the reference frame, and x and t are used for positions and times. Front of pole enters: t = 0 The back of the pole Back of pole enters: t = 8.73m/0.9c = 32.29 enters the barn before the ns front of the pole leaves, Front of pole leaves: t = 10m/0.9c = 37.04 so a 1 ns gate could be ns closed on both ends, Back of pole leaves: t = 32.35ns + 37.04 ns containing the entire = 69.38 ns pole. Pole frame of reference From the pole point of view, the front gate closes just as the back of Front of pole enters: t' = 0 the pole enters. Front of pole leaves barn: t' = 4.37m/0.9c = 16.14 The surprising ns result is that the Back of pole enters: t = 20m/0.9c = 74.07 ns back gate is seen Back of pole leaves: t = 16.14 ns + 74.07 ns = to close earlier 90.21 ns from the pole 2 Front gate closes at t = 32.35 ns, but t'= (t-vx/c ) = framework, before the front 2.29(32.29 ns) = 74.07 ns Back gate closes at t=32.35 ns, but at x=10m. It is of the pole simultaneous in the barn frame, but not in the pole reaches it. The grame. The time for back gate closing in the pole gate closings are not simultaneous, frame is t'=(t-vx/c2) = 2.29(32.35 - (0.9c)(10 and they permit m)/c2) = 5.38 ns. the pole to pass through without hitting either gate.

The Bug-Rivet Paradox

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