This paper constitutes a background to the paper 'Quantum mechanics as "space-time statistical mechanics"?', arXiv:quant-ph/0501133, presented previously by the author. But it is also a free-standing and self-contained paper. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader an increased and a deeper understanding of the special theory of relativity, and the spacetime ideas lying behind the above mentioned paper. We will here consider, discuss, define, analyse, and explain things such as, e.g., the constancy of the speed of light, synchronization, simultaneity, absolute simultaneity, absolute space and time, the ether, and spacetime. Albert Einstein's original version of the special theory of relativity is fundamentally an operational theory, free from interpretation. But the old "Lorentzian interpretation" and the standard "spacetime interpretation" of the special theory of relativity will also be considered. This paper also discusses and analyses aspects of the philosophy of science that in my opinion are relevant for an understanding of the special theory of relativity.
The special theory of relativity does not predict the existence of photons (quanta of electromagnetic radiation). However, it is demonstrated here that it follows from the special theory of relativity that if photons do exist---and we know that they do---then their energy must be proportional to their frequency. This means that the Planck-Einstein formula E=hν follows just from some results of the special theory of relativity and the assumption of the particle--wave duality.
We introduce a Lorentz-covariant description of tachyons, free of inconsistencies. Our approach is based on an appropriate extension of the special relativity beyond the light barrier, owing to the freedom of synchronization of distant clocks.
It is known that action is invariant in special relativity. The goal of this note is to show that the reverse statement is also correct, that special relativity follows from the postulate that action is invariant under the transformation from one inertial frame to another.
We show a very simple yet rigorous derivation of the invariance of the space-time interval (and hence the whole special relativity) just from the isotropy, homogeneity and a principle of relativity, without the need of the speed of light axiom. This article is intended as a textbook explanation of the special relativity.
An approach to special relativity is outlined which emphasizes the wave and field mechanisms which physically produce the relativistic effects, with the goal of making them seem more natural to students by connecting more explicitly with prior studies of waves and oscillators.
A map is discussed that connects, in 1+1 dimensions, Galilei's relativity to Einstein's special relativity. By means of this map it is possible to derive special-relativistic formulas from the corresponding Galilean ones. Beyond being interesting on its own, this map is also significant with respect to a recent debate on the extension of relativistic symmetries to the Planck scale (especially in the framework of the so-called doubly special relativity). The map in fact provides an explicit example of how can be misleading to interpret a mathematical correspondence between two relativity scheme…
Simply by assuming the first postulate of Special Relativity and by exploring Gedankenexperiments with electromagnetic forces, we suggest that there is a speed limit in the universe, which can be determined as a relation between vacuum permeability and permittivity. We also derive space contraction and time dilatation without referring to light. Finally, we argue that, based on previous works on the derivation of Lorentz s Transformation without light and from our results, it is possible to transform the epistemological status of the Einstein s second postulate from principle into derivation.
All of the experiments supporting Einstein's Special Relativity Theory are also supportive of the Lorentz ether theory, or many other ether theories. However, a growing number of experiments show deviations from Einstein's Special Relativity Theory, but are supporting more extended theories. Some of these experiments are reviewed and analyzed. Unfortunately, many experiments are not of high quality, never repeated and mostly both. It is proposed that the most promising experiments should be repeated.
The most general transformation connecting inertial frames is derived from rather general and simple assumptions, without the postulate of constancy of the speed of light in vacuo.
It will be shown that, in comparison with the pre-relativistic Galileo-invariant conceptions, special relativity tells us nothing new about the geometry of spacetime. It simply calls something else "spacetime", and this something else has different properties. All statements of special relativity about those features of reality that correspond to the original meaning of the terms "space" and "time" are identical with the corresponding traditional pre-relativistic statements. It will be also argued that special relativity and Lorentz theory are completely identical in both senses, as theories a…
Solving special relativity paradoxes requires rigorous analysis of event timing, due to relative simultaneity in consequence of the Lorentz transformation. Since clock synchronisation is a convention in special theory of relativity, instead of the Einstein's procedure one may choose such that offers absolute simultaneity. We present in short the corresponding formalism in one spatial dimension. We show that paradoxes do not arise with this choice of synchronisation and descriptions of these issues are exceptionally simple and consistent for both observers involved.
Arguments are reviewed and extended in favor of presenting special relativity at least in part from a more mechanistic point of view. A number of generic mechanisms are catalogued and illustrated with the goal of making relativistic effects seem more natural by connecting with more elementary aspects of physics, particularly the physics of waves.
A new relativistic transformation in the velocity space (here named the differential Lorentz transformation) is formulated solely from the principle of relativity and the invariance of the speed of light. The differential Lorentz transformation is via transforming physical quantities, instead of space-time coordinates, to make laws of nature form-invariant. The differential Lorentz transformation may provide a way to resolve the incompatibility of the theory of special relativity and the quantum theory.
Simple physical models of a measuring rod and of a clock are used to demonstrate the contraction of objects and clock retardation in special relativity. It is argued that the models could help in promoting student understanding of special relativity and in distinguishing between dynamical and purely perspectival effects.
We present a novel paradox in special relativity together with its solution. We call it the four particles paradox. The purpose of this paradox is pedagogical and therefore directed towards students and lecturers of physics. Even if most paradoxes in special relativity theory are very interrelated and some are special cases of others, the paradox we present here is original and illuminates on the very nice subject and the literature of special relativity.
Special relativity is reformulated as a symmetry property of space-time: Space-Time Exchange Invariance. The additional hypothesis of spatial homogeneity is then sufficient to derive the Lorentz transformation without reference to the traditional form of the Principle of Special Relativity. The kinematical version of the latter is shown to be a consequence of the Lorentz transformation. As a dynamical application, the laws of electrodynamics and magnetodynamics are derived from those of electrostatics and magnetostatics respectively. The 4-vector nature of the electromagnetic potential plays a…
In this paper we consider the central force problem in the special theory of relativity. We derive the special relativistic version of the Binet equation describing the orbit of a body. Then, the motion of a planet in a solar-like system where the gravitational potential is modified by adding a term that is proportional to the inverse of the square of the radial coordinate is discussed. Using perturbative method, we obtain the explicit orbital function. At the end, the orbital precession of the planet and its relation to the result from general relativity are also discussed.
In the article, the deformation of special relativity within the frame of conformable derivative is formulated. Within this context, the two postulates of the theory were re-stated. And, the addition of velocity laws were derived and used to verify the constancy of the speed of light. The invariance principle of the laws of physics is demonstrated for some typical illustrative examples, namely, the conformable wave equation, the conformable Schrodinger equation, and the conformable Gordon-Klein equation. The current formalism may be applicable when using special relativity in a nonlinear or di…
It is proved that the definition of simultaneity by Einstein leads to the paradox motion of he string from the viewpoint of the observer in the inertial system S' moving with velocity v with regard to the inertial system S.
We show that a topology can be defined in the four dimensional space-time of special relativity so as to obtain a topological semigroup for time. The Minkowski 4-vector character of space-time elements as well as the key properties of special relativity are still the same as in the standard theory. However, the new topological structure allows the possibility of an intrinsic asymmetry in the time evolution of physical systems.
We discuss the existence and stability of circular orbits of a relativistic point particle moving in a central force field. The stability condition is somewhat more restrictive in Special Relativity. In the particular case of attractive central force fields proportional to $1/r^n$, we find the values the angular momentum may have in circular orbits and show that, unlike in the non-relativistic limit, the latter are not always stable in Special Relativity for $2<n<3$.
In the special relativity, a rigid rod slides upon itself, with one extremity oscillating harmonically. We discovered restrictions in the amplitude of the motion and in the length of the rod, essential to eliminate unphysical solutions. ------- Cxe la speciala relativeco, rigida stango movigxas sur si mem, kun unu fino oscilante harmonie. Ni malkovris limigajn kondicxojn pri la amplitudo de movado kaj pri la longo de stango, necesegaj por elimini ne-fizikajn solvojn.
In a previous work we have shown that the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment in vacuum is deeply connected with the notion of time. The same is true for the the postulate of constancy of the two-way speed of light in vacuum in all frames independently of the state of motion of the emitting body. The argumentation formerly given is very general and has to be true not only within Special Relativity and its `equivalence' of all inertial frames, but as well as in Lorentz-Poincaré scenario of a preferred reference frame. This paper is the second of a trilogy intending to revisit the fou…
Invited report at the 8th Meeting of the Working Group ``Base units and fundamental constants'' of the French Academy of Sciences. June 14, 2004. The text consists of seven sections: 1. Great importance of SI. 2. The necessity of updating SI. 3. Special relativity: four-dimensional quantities. 4. Maxwell equations in vacuum in CGSG units. 5. Maxwell equations in vacuum in SI. 6. $c \hbar$ units. 7. Systems CGSG and $c \hbar$ should be legalized.
