Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction

[ lawr-uhnts-fits-jer-uhld, lohr- ]

noun

, Physics.

1. FitzGerald contraction.

Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction

noun

1. the supposed contraction of a body in the direction of its motion through the ether, postulated to explain the result of the Michelson-Morley experiment. The special theory of relativity denies that any such real change can occur in a body as a result of uniform motion but shows that an observer moving with respect to the body will determine an apparent change given by a formula similar to that of Lorentz and Fitzgerald

Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction

/ lôr′ənts-fĭts-jĕr′ld /

1. The shortening of an object along its direction of motion as its speed approaches the speed of light, as measured by an observer at rest with respect to the body. Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction is an effect predicted by Einstein's theory of Special Relativity. It is named for Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz and Irish physicist George Francis FitzGerald (1851–1901), who independently proposed such a contraction.
2. See more at relativity

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction¹

C20: named after H. A. Lorentz and G. F. Fitzgerald (1851–1901), Irish physicist

Example Sentences

Gary’s animation above is a whimsical depiction of the Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction, one of the consequences of Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity.

From New York Times