Which of the following is true about the Lorentz factor?

The Lorentz factor, often denoted as ( \gamma ), is a crucial component of the theory of relativity, especially when analyzing the effects of traveling at speeds close to the speed of light. The Lorentz factor is defined by the equation:

[

\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}}

]

where ( v ) is the velocity of an object and ( c ) is the speed of light in a vacuum. As an object's speed increases toward the speed of light, the value of the Lorentz factor increases significantly. This factor indeed accounts for the changes in time (time dilation) and length (length contraction) experienced by objects moving at relativistic speeds.

In the context of the choices provided, the accuracy of answer C lies in the fact that the Lorentz factor quantifies how much time and space are perceived differently between an observer and a moving object. For instance, a stationary observer will measure different times and lengths compared to an observer moving at a high fraction of the speed of light. Thus, answer C accurately represents the role of the Lorentz factor in relativity.

The other options do not accurately describe the nature of the Lor