As the velocity of an inertial frame of reference increases with respect to a stationary observer, Einstein's theory of special relativity predicts that the length of an object, measured in the dimension parallel to the motion of the reference frame, will
A) decrease.
B) remain unchanged.
C) increase.
D) increase at first but start to decrease when the speed of the reference frame equals half the speed of light.
E) decrease at first but start to increase when the speed of the reference frame equals half the speed of light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is known as length contraction and is a consequence of time dilation in special relativity. As an object moves relative to an observer, its length in the direction of motion appears shorter to the observer. This effect becomes more significant as the velocity of the object approaches the speed of light.

As the Velocity of an Inertial Frame of Reference Increases