Relativity and Cosmology

    

The Speed Limit for a Rotating Object

Authors: Yannan Yang

This paper presents a new kinematic analysis of relativistic rotating objects within the framework of special relativity. By examining the Lorentz contraction of concentric circumferences on a spinning disk, we show that when the edge speed approaches the speed of light, the outer circumference may paradoxically become shorter than the inner one. To eliminate this geometric inconsistency, we derive a strict upper speed limit for rotating bodies: the linear velocity of any point must not exceed the speed of light divided by the square root of 2. This constraint arises purely from special relativistic kinematics, independent of material strength or mechanical properties, offering a novel resolution to the Ehrenfest paradox complementary to existing approaches.

Comments: 4 Pages.

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Submission history

[v1] 2026-05-07 03:56:57

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