All Lorentz invariant solutions of vacuum Einstein's equations are found. It is proved that these solutions describe space-times of constant curvature.
Evaluation of the additive constants in the space-time Lorentz transformation equations required, according to Einstein, to correctly describe synchronised clocks at different spatial locations, reveals the spurious and unphysical nature of the 'relativity of simultaneity' and 'length contraction' effects of conventional special relativity. Unlike time dilation, there is no experimental evidence for these putative effects. Only a universal (position independent) time dilation effect for different inertial frames distinguishes special from Galilean relativity.
We look afresh at the deduction of the "Lorentz contraction" of a "rod" from the Lorentz transformation equations of the special theory of relativity. We show that under special conditions, which include acceleration of the "rod", length "expansion" and "invariance" are possible, and thus these are purely kinematical phenomena. We then take a closer look at Einstein's two famous papers on the special theory of relativity and point out a flaw in his argument. It seems that it is possible to have the times of the clocks of two, and indeed all, inertial systems to agree with each other.
We are proving that the Lorentz boost entails the relative velocity to be ternary: ternary relative velocity is a velocity of a body with respect to an interior observer as seen by a preferred exterior-observer. The Lorentz boosts imply non-associative addition of ternary relative velocities. Within Einstein's special relativity theory, each preferred observer (fixed stars, aether, etc), determine the unique relative velocity among each pair of massive bodies. Therefore, the special relativity founded on Minkowski's axiom, that each pair of reference systems must be related by Lorentz isometry…
It is proved that local Lorentz transformations for different systems cannot derive varying speed of light. Based on the special relativity principle, an invariant speed is necessarily obtained. Therefore, the exact basic principles of the special relativity should be redefined as: I. The special relativity principle, which derives necessarily an invariant speed. II. Suppose that the invariant speed in the theory is the speed of light in the vacuum c. If the second principle does not hold, for example, the superluminal motions exist, the theory will be still the extensive special relativity, i…
It is well known that the field equations of teleparallel theory which is equivalent to general relativity (TEGR) completely agree with the field equation of general relativity (GR). However, TEGR has six extra degrees of freedom which spoil the true physics. These extra degrees are related to the local Lorentz transformation. In this study, we give three different tetrads of flat horizon space-time that depend only on the radial coordinate. One of these tetrads contains an arbitrary function which comes from local Lorentz transformation. We show by explicate calculations that this arbitrary f…
Lorentz Transformation is reinterpreted. It is shown that by admitting the existence of a frame of reference with synchronized clocks, we conclude that any other frame of reference that moves related to the first has desynchronized clocks. From this conclusion we will arrive at a new expression to relate the time of different frames of reference. We also arrive at a new expression to relate the contraction of different frames. We will show that if the maximum speed on a frame with synchronized clocks is the speed of light, then the speed of light varies accordingly to the velocity of the frame…
The apparent times and positions of moving clocks as predicted by both `non-local' and `local' Lorentz Transformations are considered. Only local transformations respect translational invariance. Such transformations change temporal but not spatial intervals, so breaking space-time exchange symmetry and forbidding relativity of simultaneity and length contraction. Two satellite-borne experiments to test these predictions are proposed.
Space-like and time-like invariant space-time intervals are used to analyse measurements of spatial and temporal distances. The former are found to be Lorentz invariant --there is no `relativistic length contraction', whereas the latter exhibit the experimentally confirmed `time dilatation' effect, without, however, `relativity of simultaneity'. It is shown how the spurious predictions of length contraction and relativity of simultaneity arise from the use of inconsistent synchronisation procedures for spatially separated clocks.
Observations of the apparent times and positions of moving clocks as predicted by both `non-local' and `local' Lorentz Transformations are considered. Only local transformations respect translational invariance. Such transformations change temporal but not spatial intervals, so breaking space time exchange symmetry and forbidding relativity of simultaneity and length contraction. A satellite cesium clock experiment to test these predictions is proposed.
The major extant relativity theories - Galileo's Relativity (GaR), Lorentz's Relativity (LR) and Einstein's Special Relativity (SR), with the latter much celebrated, while the LR is essentially ignored. Indeed it is often incorrectly claimed that SR and LR are experimentally indistinguishable. Here we show that (i) SR and LR are experimentally distinguishable, (ii) that comparison of gas-mode Michelson interferometer experiments with spacecraft earth-flyby Doppler shift data demonstrate that it is LR that is consistent with the data, while SR is in conflict with the data, (iii) SR is exactly d…
In the line of thought of Einstein's 1905 paper on relativity, I get a physical derivation of Lorentz transformation (LT) answering its main criticism and considerably enlarging the area of applications of the theory of relativity.
The polarizable vacuum (PV) representation of general relativity (GR), derived from a model by Dicke and related to the "TH-epsilon-mu" formalism used in comparative studies of gravitational theories, provides for a compact derivation of the Levi-Civita Effect (both magnetic and electric), herein demonstrated.
Some studies interpret quantum measurement as being explicitly non local. Others assume the preferred frame hypothesis. Unfortunately, these two classes of studies conflict with Minkowski space-time geometry. On the contrary, in Aristotle space-time, Lorentz invariance, interpreted as a physical property applying to all phenomena actually satisfying this symmetry (as opposed to a geometrical constraint applying to an assumed pre-existing Minkowski space-time) consistently coexists with possible Lorentz violations. Moreover, as will be pointed out, the geometrical framework provided by Aristotl…
We aim to investigate the theory of Lorentz violation with an invariant minimum speed so-called Symmetrical Special Relativity (SSR) from the viewpoint of its metric. Thus we should explore the nature of SSR-metric in order to understand the origin of the conformal factor that appears in the metric by deforming Minkowski metric by means of an invariant minimum speed that breaks down Lorentz symmetry. So we are able to realize that there is a similarity between SSR and a new space with variable negative curvature ($-\infty<\mathcal R<0$) connected to a set of infinite cosmological constants ($0…
Applying a non-diagonal spherically symmetric tetrad field having arbitrary function, $S(r)$, that is corresponding to local Lorentz transformation, to the field equations of f(T) gravity theories. An analytic vacuum solutions with constants of integration are derived. These constants are studied by calculating the total conserved charge associated to each solution. The study has shown that the obtained solutions represent Schwarzschild-Ads spacetime.
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of the excitations of vacuum above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$ , the speed of light). The sectorial Lorentz symmetry may be only a low-energy limit, in the same way as the relation $ω$ (frequency) = $c_s$ (speed of sound) $k$ (wav…
The Lorentz Transformation is traditionally derived requiring the Principle of Relativity and light-speed universality. While the latter can be relaxed, the Principle of Relativity is seen as core to the transformation. The present letter relaxes both statements to the weaker, Symmetry of Reference Principle. Thus the resulting Lorentz transformation and its consequences (time dilatation, length contraction) are, in turn, effects of how we manage space and time.
The positive mass theorem in general relativity states that in an asymptotically flat spacetime, if the momentum--energy tensor is divergence-free and satisfies a dominant energy condition, then a total momentum--energy four-vector can be formed, of which the energy component is nonnegative. In this paper, we take the wave four-tensor of a plane light wave in free space as a counterexample to show that there is no guarantee that a total four-vector can be formed. Thus the theoretical framework for the positive mass theorem is flawed. In addition, it is also shown as well that the Lorentz covar…
The shortening of bodies in the direction of motion, Lorentz contraction, follows from the solution of Maxwell's equations. Moving light clocks will tick slower than those at rest because the speed of light does not depend on a source of the light. The latter and Lorentz contraction imply the relativistic time dilation. The invariance of the light speed defined as the round-trip value follows from the time dilation and Lorentz contraction. An observer is incognizant about his motion relative to the absolute frame of reference. So, in order to synchronize spaced clocks in a moving reference fra…
We present a solution for the apparent paradox regarding an incompatibility between the Lorentz force law and special relativity presented by Mansuripur [Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 193901 (2012)]. A connection between the apparent paradox and the Abraham-Minkowski debate about the momentum of electromagnetic waves in material media is also presented.
The so-called principle of relativity is able to fix a general coordinate transformation which differs from the standard Lorentzian form only by an unknown speed which cannot in principle be identified with the light speed. Based on a reanalysis of the Michelson-Morley experiment using this extended transformation we show that such unknown speed is analytically determined regardless of the Maxwell equations and conceptual issues related to synchronization procedures, time and causality definitions. Such a result demonstrates in a pedagogical manner that the constancy of the speed of light does…
A novel experiment to test special relativity via Lorentz symmetry has become factible thanks to three recent technological achievements: huge Michelson-like set-up with arms 3 km long (Virgo) and 4 km (Ligo) with beam paths respectively reaching 120 km and 200 km through multiple reflections, ultrashort laser pulses of 10-15 s and ultrafast detectors of 10-12 s resolution. The alliance of these three elements would allow checking the equality of the time-of-flight of the two orthogonal beams with a resolution high enough to allow prospecting in a novel way the equivalency of inertial system p…
This Comment addresses a recent paper by M. Mansuripur (Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 193901 (2012)), who claims that the Lorentz law of force should be abandoned because it violates relativity. The Comment argues that this is not necessarily the case and also takes issue with Manusripur's approach to classical electromagnetism.
The aim of this paper is to reveal the deep relationship between matter and vacuum, and to seek for the same physical basis of the relativity and the quantum mechanics. In doing this, three postulates of vacuum fluctuation are proposed first, the basic premises of the relativity and the quantum mechanics including the velocity limit, the energy-frequency relation and the de Broglie wavelength expression of any matter particles are deduced then. As applications, the idea is used to analyze the Compton effect and the electron-positron annihilation. It is found that the calculation becomes simple…
Special relativity calculates, by means of the Lorentz gamma factor, the proper time of all inertial systems from the observer proper time, which is taken as a time standard. So, any temporal inference relies in first instance on the observer own time. The question is thus: what fixes the observer proper time? This will be the crucial point debated here. This implies analyzing at the very first why the observer can be taken as a motionless reference in spite of being himself inertial. Is this just an approximation, and if so, up to what extent can it be applied? The framework of special relati…
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of the excitations of vacuum above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$, the speed of light). Sectorial Lorentz invariance, reflected by the fact that all particles of a given dynamical sector have the same critical speed in vacuum, will t…
In this Comment it is shown that the principle of relativity is naturally satisfied and there is no paradox if an independent physical reality is attributed to the four-dimensional (4D) geometric quantities (GQs) and not, as usual, to the 3D quantities. Hence, there is no need either for the change of the expression for the Lorentz force, but as a 4D GQ, or for the introduction of some "hidden" 3D quantities.
Maxwell's equations hold in inertial reference frames in uniform translational motion relative to one another. In conjunction with the Lorentz coordinate transformation equations, the transformation equations for the electric and magnetic field components in these reference frames can be derived. As the derivation of the Lorentz coordinate transformation equations depends on the relativity of simultaneity, and indeed on the argument on the relativity of simultaneity, electromagnetic phenomena indicate that human cognition is involved in the structure and functioning of the physical world.
We have demonstrated spatially-discontinuous jumps of electrons at a distance as long as about 1cm. The effect occurs in a modified integer quantum Hall system consisted of a great number of extended Laughlin-Halperin-type states. Our observations directly contradict the no-aether Einstein's interpretation of special relativity together with the Minkowski's model of spacetime. However they are consistent with the aether-related Lorentz-Poincare's interpretation that allows absolute simultaneity. We thus strongly challenge the fundamental status of Lorentz invariance and hence break the basic a…
Some reasons are given to suggest that the interpretation of the Lorentz' transformations as if they referred to coordinates instead of to intervals could be incorrect. Besides, the usual form of such transformations, by using variables that represent finite values instead of differentials, could be another error. Later it is shown that the Lorentz contraction factor must not have the form currently accepted for it if the Lorentz contraction factor is assumed to be equal to the quotient between time differentials.
The paper deals with the scale discrepancy between the observed vacuum energy in cosmology and the theoretical quantum vacuum energy (cosmological constant problem). Here, we demonstrate that Einstein's equation and an analogy to particle physics leads to the first physical justification of the so-called fine-tuning problem. This fine-tuning could be automatically satisfied with the variable cosmological term $Λ(a)=Λ_0+Λ_1 a^{-(4-ε)}$, $0 < ε\ll 1,$ where $a$ is the scale factor. As a side effect of our solution of the cosmological constant problem, the dynamical part of the cosmological term …
The Lorentz transformation is used to analyse space and time coordinates corresponding to two spatially-separated clocks in the same inertial frame. The time dilatation effect is confirmed, but not `relativity of simultaneity' or `relativistic length contraction'. How these latter, spurious, effects arise from misuse of the Lorentz transformation is also explained.
In this article, we argue that the theory of special relativity, as formulated by Einstein, is a philosophical rather than a scientific theory. What is scientific and experimentally supported is the formalism of the relativistic mechanics embedded in the Lorentz transformations and their direct mathematical, experimental and observational consequences. This is in parallel with the quantum mechanics where the scientific content and experimental support of this branch of physics is embedded in the formalism of quantum mechanics and not in its philosophical interpretations such as the Copenhagen …
Owing to the non-differentiable nature of the theory of Scale Relativity, the emergence of complex wave functions, then of spinors and bi-spinors occurs naturally in its framework. The wave function is here a manifestation of the velocity field of geodesics of a continuous and non-differentiable (therefore fractal) space-time. In a first paper (Paper I), we have presented the general argument which leads to this result using an elaborate and more detailed derivation than previously displayed. We have therefore been able to show how the complex wave function emerges naturally from the doubling …
It has been recently argued that the Lorentz force is incompatible with Special Relativity and should be amended in the presence of magnetization and polarization in order to avoid a paradox involving a magnet in the presence of an electric field. Here we stress the well-known fact among relativists that such an incompatibility is simply impossible and show that the appearance of such a "paradox" is a mere consequence of not fully considering the relativistic consequences of the covariant form of the Lorentz force. It should be mentioned, though, that this criticism does not invalidate the deb…
In this paper, we aim to resolve two fundamental issues in the dynamics of relativity: (i) Under what condition, the time-column space integrals of a Lorentz four-tensor constitute a Lorentz four-vector, and (ii) under what condition, the time-element space integral of a Lorentz four-vector is a Lorentz scalar; namely two "conservation laws", which are mispresented in traditional textbooks, and widely used in fundamental research, such as relativistic analysis of the momentum of light in a medium, and the proofs of the positive mass theorem in general relativity. To resolve issue (i), we have …
In order to clarify why the zero-point energy associated with the vacuum fluctuations cannot be a candidate for the dark energy in the universe, a comparison with the Casimir effect is analyzed in some detail. A principle of epistemology is stressed that it is meaningless to talk about an absolute (isolated) thing. A relative thing can only be observed when it is changing with respect to other things. Then a new conjecture of antigravity --the repulsive force between matter and antimatter derived from the modified Einstein field equation in general relativity-- is proposed. this is due to the …
I show that no force or torque is generated in cases involving a charge and a magnet with their relative velocity zero, in any inertial frame of reference. A recent suspicion of an anomalous torque and conflict with relativity in this case is rested. What is distilled as `Lorentz force' in standard electrodynamics, with relative velocity as the parameter, is an under-representation of two distinct physical phenomena, an effect due to Lorentz contraction and another due to the Ampere current-current interaction, rolled into one due to prejudice from special relativity applied only to linear mot…
The Lorentz law of force is the fifth pillar of classical electrodynamics, the other four being Maxwell's macroscopic equations. The Lorentz law is the universal expression of the force exerted by electromagnetic fields on a volume containing a distribution of electrical charges and currents. If electric and magnetic dipoles also happen to be present in a material medium, they are traditionally treated by expressing the corresponding polarization and magnetization distributions in terms of bound-charge and bound-current densities, which are subsequently added to free-charge and free-current de…
In a recent Letter [arXiv:1205.0096], Mansuripur considers a magnetic dipole positioned at a fixed location from a point charge. Performing a Lorentz transformation to a laboratory frame where the charge distribution moves he finds that `a net torque acts on the dipole pair'. He then argues that `this torque in the (lab) frame in the absence of a corresponding torque in the (rest) frame is sufficient proof of the inadequacy of the Lorentz (force) law'. In this comment we demonstrate that the presence of a torque is not incompatible with special relativity: it is required by the conservation la…
We here deduce Lorentz transformation (LT) as a member of a class of time-dependent coordinate transformations, complementary to those already known as spatial translations and rotations. This exercise validates the principle of physical determination of equations within special relativity theory (SRT), in accordance with the derivation of the LT in Einstein's original paper on relativity. This validation is possible because our LT deduction also discloses the real physics warranting Einstein's manipulations of several equations in that paper, thus proving the correctness of his derivation of …
We show that Cosmological Constant (CC) is not optional in GR (General Relativity) because it is required by SR (Special Relativity). This completely unexpected result is obtained by introducing a minimal acceleration (Milgrom), square root of CC, in Einstein boost with Lorentz Transformation (LT). We prove that hyperbolic rotation (LT) is an hyperbolic motion with a centrifugal acceleration. In SR with CC (CSR or CR), the universe is not only in expansion (with the law of Hubble) but even in accelerated expansion (cosmological parameter is minus one). Given that the structure of space-time in…
We consider the magneto-electric optical properties of the quantum vacuum and show that all the different phenomenona are related by Lorentz invariance. As a model calculation we show how crossed fields properties can be calculated starting from single field properties by using Lorentz transformations. Using this method we have studied for the first time the case of a crossed static magnetic field and electric field applied with one of these two fields parallel to the direction of light propagation. We also show that parallel field properties can be found using general symmetry properties.