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Relativistic effects such as time dilation and length contraction are present for cars and airplanes. Why do these effects seem strange to us?

a) They violate the principles of classical physics.

b) They are unfamiliar concepts in the realm of physics.

c) They contradict the laws of motion.

d) They are counterintuitive compared to everyday experiences.

User Cylldby
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Final answer:

Relativistic effects, like time dilation and length contraction, seem strange because they are counterintuitive compared to our daily experiences and defy the absolute concepts of time and space suggested by classical physics. Option d is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Relativistic effects such as time dilation and length contraction seem strange to us for a key reason: they are counterintuitive compared to everyday experiences. The correct option for why these effects seem strange is (d) They are counterintuitive compared to everyday experiences.

Everyday objects like cars and airplanes do indeed experience these effects, but they are so minute at the speeds we encounter in daily life that they are imperceptible. Classical physics, which underpins our everyday experiences, does not account for relativistic effects because it operates on the assumption that time and space are absolute.

However, Einstein's theory of relativity shows us that both are relative and can change based on the object's speed relative to the observer. This is vastly different from what we are used to and can be difficult to grasp because it defies common sense and our everyday perceptions of how the world works.

User Steve Dignan
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