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In the following link, the equation for time dilation is derived by allowing the photon to just go from the lower mirror to the top, without reflecting back to the bottom:

https://sciencebasedlife.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/derive-time-dilation-yourself-feel-like-a-genius/

Curiously, I tried to derive the length contraction formula using a similar process, except for the light clock being placed horizontally. Unlike the derivations I've seen for length contraction using light clocks, I did not allow the photon to go back to the original mirror (bouncing back from the second mirror). But it doesn't seem to work, unless I let it go back to the original mirror.

Edit: Basically I stated that in a rest frame S, c = L0/T0. Then, to derive the length contraction formula, I kept the clock horizontal. So, c = (L + vT)/T, where T is the time in moving frame, and L the height of the clock in the moving frame. I equated both c's, to see if i could get the length contraction formula, but it did not seem to work out.

Traditionally, using light clocks, you would derive length contraction as shown in this link: https://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/2000fall/PHY232/lectures/relativity/contraction.html

Can the length contraction formula be derived where the photon does not bounce back to the original mirror?

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  • $\begingroup$ I won't flag this as a duplicate since that would immediately close your question. However it is basically a duplicate of How do I derive the Lorentz contraction from the invariant interval? $\endgroup$
    – John Rennie
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 19:32
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    $\begingroup$ could you explain what exactly did you try (with the calculations)? It would be more clear that way $\endgroup$
    – glS
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 19:33
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    $\begingroup$ @glS: Yes, basically I stated that in a rest frame S, c = L0/T0. Then, to derive the length contraction formula, I kept the clock horizontal. So, c = (L + vT)/T, where T is the time in moving frame, and L the height of the clock in the moving frame. I equated both c's, to see if i could get the length contraction formula, but it did not seem to work out. Traditionally, using light clocks, you would derive length contraction as shown in this link: pa.msu.edu/courses/2000fall/PHY232/lectures/relativity/… $\endgroup$
    – TeraTesla
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 19:45
  • $\begingroup$ @John Rennie: I understand that derivation, however my main problem is whether the derivations works using light clocks where the photon does not bounce back to the original mirror. $\endgroup$
    – TeraTesla
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 19:47
  • $\begingroup$ Edit the question to include that, it is more readable that way $\endgroup$
    – glS
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 20:29

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Can the length contraction formula be derived where the photon does not bounce back to the original mirror?

In the derivation here that you linked to in a comment, the result is obtained using the relationship between coordinate time $t$ and proper time $\tau$ (time dilation):

$$t = \gamma \tau$$

Thus, in the thought experiment, there must be a proper time to apply this formula to. In the case of the linked derivation, the proper time is $t_0$, the two-way time of flight of the photon. This time is measured by one clock co-located with one of the mirrors.

However, the one-way time of flight of the photon, in the rest frame of the mirrors, is not a proper time since the one-way trip time must be measured by two, spatially separated and synchronized, clocks; one clock co-located with one mirror and the other clock co-located with the other mirror.

This difference is this: all observers agree that the two-way time of flight of the photon, as measured by a clock co-located with one of the mirrors is $t_0$. This is why this elapsed time is a proper time; all observers agree that you've measured the two-way time of flight of the photon in the rest frame of the mirrors and that's why we can apply the time dilation formula above.

But, while the two clocks, one co-located with each mirror, are synchronized in the rest frame of the mirrors, they are not synchronized according to relatively moving observers.

That is to say, relatively moving observers do not agree that you've measured the one-way time of flight of the photon in the rest frame of the mirrors and so, the time dilation formula above cannot be applied.

(Additional remarks on the derivation of time dilation and length contraction)

In the case of time dilation, we consider two (distinct) events that are co-located in space in an inertial reference frame (IRF).

For example, an inertial clock emits a photon and then later, receives the reflected photon. In an IRF in which the clock is at rest, these two events have the same spatial coordinate, i.e., the events are co-located in this frame.

As observed from a relatively moving IRF, these two events are separated in both space and time and thus, according to the Lorentz transformations, the elapsed time in this IRF must be greater than the elapsed time on the clock (the proper time). This is time dilation - moving clocks run slower.

Conversely, in the case of length contraction we consider two events that are co-located in time (the events are simultaneous) in an IRF.

For example, the length of an object at rest in an IRF is measured by simultaneously recording the location of each end of the object and taking the difference (proper length).

As observed from a IRF relatively moving parallel to the object, these two events are separated in both time (the events are not simultaneous) and space and thus, according to the Lorentz transformations, the spatial separation of the two events must be greater than the proper length. This is length contraction - moving objects are contracted along the direction of motion.

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  • $\begingroup$ Why does measuring length require the events to take place simultaneously? Why does a measurement need simultaneity in one of the dimensions? $\endgroup$
    – TeraTesla
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 21:09
  • $\begingroup$ Also, why do you still get the time dilation formula using the one way time of flight of the photon between the mirrors, despite of the fact that they are not at the same point in either the moving frame or the rest frame of reference? $\endgroup$
    – TeraTesla
    Commented Mar 13, 2016 at 21:24
  • $\begingroup$ Actually I think I got it. We can measure the time difference from the moving frame, as the photon still hits the same x coordinate (there is only a change in Y coordinate, as the light clock is placed vertically when deriving time dilation). By Lorentz transformations, there should be no change in the way we perceive the Y coordinates if the motion is only along the x direction. Furthermore the reason why we need simultaneity in either space or time when measuring time dilation and length contraction respectively, is because if they weren't co-located, each observation will not be consistent. $\endgroup$
    – TeraTesla
    Commented Mar 14, 2016 at 20:26

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