The ladder paradox (or barn-pole paradox) is a thought experiment in special relativity. It involves a ladder travelling horizontally and undergoing a length contraction, the result of which being that it can fit into a much smaller garage. On the other hand, from the point of view of an observer moving with the ladder, it is the garage that is moving and the garage will be contracted to an even smaller size, therefore being unable to contain the ladder at all. This apparent paradox results from the assumption of absolute simultaneity. In relativity, simultaneity is relative to each observer and thus the ladder can fit into the garage in both instances.
Read more about Ladder Paradox: Paradox, Relative Simultaneity, Resolution, Ladder Paradox and Transmission of Force, Man Falling Into Grate Variation, Bar and Ring Paradox
Famous quotes containing the words ladder and/or paradox:
“When Titian was mixing brown madder,
His model was posed up a ladder.
Said Titian, “That position
Calls for coition,”
So he lept up the ladder and had her.”
—Anonymous.
“To make advice agreeable, try paradox or rhyme.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)