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Barn-Pole Paradox

Pole moves in+x; both doors close simultaneously in the barn frame. Positive clearance permits an instantaneous fit in that frame, while door closings are nonsimultaneous in the pole frame.

Pole moves in+x; both doors close simultaneously in the barn frame. Positive clearance permits an instantaneous fit in that frame, while door closings are nonsimultaneous in the pole frame.

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Result

Enter your values and run the tool to see your result.

How to use this tool

Check the units, enter your values, and run the tool. Results follow the assumptions and method below.

Calculation method

Pole length in barn framepole*sqrt(1-beta^2)
Barn length in pole framebarn*sqrt(1-beta^2)
Instantaneous clearance in barn framebarn-pole*sqrt(1-beta^2)
Front-minus-rear door time in pole frame-beta*barn/(299792458*sqrt(1-beta^2))

References