How does Lorentz Contraction apply to the edge of a spinning disk and is π still constant?

Question

This may seem like a dumb question, as I'm not really a physicist, but here it goes.

So, π is the number of diameter distances required to equal the circumference of a 2D disk. Relativity tells us that the faster an object moves, the shorter length of the object.

My question is: if a disk is spinning with angular velocity of say, $c/2$, would the number π be affected or would it remain it's same old 3.14 for a rapidly spinning disk?

Along those lines, how does the Lorentz contraction interact with an object that has varying velocities from the outward edge, to the inward center?

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 08 '16 at 06:52

1

The Ehrenfest paradox concerns the rotation of a "rigid" disc in the theory of relativity.

edited Dec 08 '16 at 06:52

answered Dec 08 '16 at 06:45

Shivahari Subedi

36

How does Lorentz Contraction apply to the edge of a spinning disk and is π still constant?

1 Answers1