Lorentz factor

noun

a factor arising in special relativity, to calculate the degree of time dilation, length contraction and relativistic mass of an object moving relative to an observer, defined as (1-v²/c²)^(-0.5), where v and c are relative velocity and the speed of light, respectively

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Meanings

nounLorentz factor (uncountable)
  1. uncountablerelativitya factor arising in special relativity, to calculate the degree of time dilation, length contraction and relativistic mass of an object moving relative to an observer, defined as (1-v²/c²)^(-0.5), where v and c are relative velocity and the speed of light, respectively

Origin

From its appearance in Lorentzian electrodynamics, named after Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz.

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Translations

German Lorentzfaktor
  • LorentzfaktorLorentz factor
Indonesian faktor Lorentz
  • faktor LorentzLorentz factor
Malay faktor Lorentz
  • faktor LorentzLorentz factor
Polish czynnik Lorentza
  • czynnik LorentzaLorentz factor
Swedish Lorentzfaktor
  • LorentzfaktorLorentz factor
Cite this entry
APA

Lorentz factor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lorentz%20factor

MLA

“Lorentz factor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lorentz%20factor. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Lorentz factor,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lorentz%20factor.

Source: Lorentz factor on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.