Lorentz transformation(redirected from Lorenz contraction)
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Lorentz transformationA set of equations used in the special theory of relativity to transform the coordinates of an event (x , y , z , t) measured in one inertial frame of reference to the coordinates of the same event (x′ , y′ , z′ , t ′) measured in another frame moving relative to the first at constant velocity v :
x = (x′ + vt′ )/β
y = y′
z = z′ ;
t = (t′ + x′v/c 2)/ββ is the factor √(1 – v 2/c 2) and c is the speed of light. When v is very much less than c , these equations reduce to those used in classical mechanics.
Lorentz transformation[′lȯr‚ens ‚tranz·fər‚mā·shən]
Any linear transformation of euclidean four space which preserves the quadratic form q(x,y,z,t) = t 2-x 2-y 2-z 2.
Any of the family of mathematical transformations used in the special theory of relativity to relate the space and time variables of different Lorentz frames.