scholarly journals Pour comprendre Einstein Die Grundlagen der einstein'schen Relativitätstheorie: Eine kritische Untersuchung Philosophy and the New Physics: An Essay on the Relativity Theory and the Theory of Quanta Le Principe de la relativité et les théories d'Einstein Le Principe de la relativité et la théorie d'Einstein The Romanes Lecture, 1922 The Theory of Relativity and its Influence on Scientific Thought

Nature ◽  
1922 ◽  
Vol 110 (2765) ◽  
pp. 568-570
Author(s):  
E. CUNNINGHAM
Keyword(s):  
New Physics ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Scientific Thought

On the matter of proving Euclidean fifth postulate and the origin of non-Euclidean geometries

2019 ◽  
Vol 950 (8) ◽  
pp. 2-11
Author(s):  
S.A. Tolchelnikova ◽  
K.N. Naumov
Keyword(s):  
Celestial Mechanics ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
The Third ◽  
Stellar Astronomy ◽  
Spherical Surfaces ◽  
Mathematical System ◽  
Solar System Bodies ◽  
The Universe

The Euclidean geometry was developed as a mathematical system due to generalizing thousands years of measurements on the plane and spherical surfaces. The development of celestial mechanics and stellar astronomy confirmed its validity as mathematical principles of natural philosophy, in particular for studying the Solar System bodies’ and Galaxy stars motions. In the non-Euclidean geometries by Lobachevsky and Riemann, the third axiom of modern geometry manuals is substituted. We show that the third axiom of these manuals is a corollary of the Fifth Euclidean postulate. The idea of spherical, Riemannian space of the Universe and local curvatures of space, depending on body mass, was inculcated into celestial mechanics, astronomy and geodesy along with the theory of relativity. The mathematical apparatus of the relativity theory was created from immeasurable quantities

scholarly journals On the Support that the Special and General Theories of Relativity Provide for Rock’s Argument Concerning Induced Self-Motion and Vice Versa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Michael Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Inertial Reference Frame ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Self Motion

Though Einstein and other physicists recognized the importance of an observer being at rest in an inertial reference frame for the special theory of relativity, the supporting psychological structures were not discussed much by physicists. On the other hand, Rock wrote of the factors involved in the perception of motion, including one’s own motion. Rock thus came to discuss issues of significance to relativity theory, apparently without any significant understanding of how his theory might be related to relativity theory. In this paper, connections between Rock’s theory on the perception of one’s own motion, as well as empirical work supporting it, and relativity theory are explored. Paper available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9908025v1 .

Langevin's influence on relativity theories

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-386
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Staley
Keyword(s):  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Starting Position ◽  
The Past ◽  
Eclipse Observations ◽  
Stop Watch ◽  
Light Beams

A century ago, Paul Langevin [C. R. 173, 831 (1921)], through his influence, convinced the scientific community that Einstein's theories of relativity were correct and could explain the Sagnac effect. A simple note in Comptes Rendus was all it took to silence many prominent skeptical scientists. The relativity skeptics had pointed to Sagnac's experiment [C. R. 157, 1410 (1913)] with the interference of counter rotating light beams as proof that the speed of light was not the same in both directions, contrary to the key postulate in Einstein's theory. Langevin showed that the result was also explained by relativity. The rest is history, and relativity has remained a center piece of theoretical physics ever since. Langevin had been captivated by solar eclipse observations of a shifted star pattern near the sun as reported by Eddington [Report on the Relativity Theory of Gravitation (Fleetway Press, Ltd., London, 1920)]. This was taken as proof positive for Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The case of a light beam split into two beams, which propagate in opposite directions around a circuit, has an analog in a simple thought experiment—a speed test for runners. Two runners can be timed on a running track with the runners going around the track in opposite directions. Two stop watches will display the time for each runner's return to the starting position. The arithmetic difference in time shown on each stop watch will provide the differences in speed between the two runners. If the two speeds are the same, the time difference will be zero. It would not make any sense for one of the stop watches to measure a negative time, that is, time moving into the past. In fact, the idea is absurd! However, Langevin did just that, assigned the time for light to travel in one direction as positive while the time for the light to traverse in the opposite direction as negative, moving into the past! By so doing, Langevin reproduced Sagnac's expression and declared that relativity explains Sagnac's experiment. Langevin was wrong!

scholarly journals The Asymmetric Cosmic Time – The Key to a New Cosmological Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Horst Fritsch ◽  
Eberhard Schluecker
Keyword(s):  
Cosmological Model ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Logical Consequence ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Accelerated Expansion ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
De Sitter ◽  
The Universe

The asymmetric cosmic time is a logical consequence of the General Theory of Relativity (GR), if one demands that it should apply to the entire cosmos. From the simplest cosmological model that is consistent with the ART (Einstein-de Sitter model) thus follows the < Cosmic Time Hypothesis > (CTH), which offers solutions for many unsolved problems of cosmology that the current standard model of cosmology (ɅCDM model) cannot explain. According to the CTH, space, time and matter form a unit and develop evolutionarily according to identical, time-dependent laws. According to the CTH time has neither beginning nor end. The "big bang" disappears into the infinite past, which is why the universe manages without inflation. The accelerated expansion of the universe is also unlikely to occur if the SN-Ia measurement results are interpreted using the CTH. The cosmological constant Ʌ can then be omitted (Ʌ=0) and consequently no "dark energy" is needed. In addition, the CTH also provides interesting results on the topics: Initial conditions for hypotheses, stability of the expanding, flat universe (Ω=1), cosmic energy balance (is there negative energy ?), theory of earth expansion, unification of natural forces, Mach's principle. Should the CTH receive broad experimental confirmation, the GR could be extended to the "Universal Relativity Theory" (UR).

scholarly journals Uniform Scaling of Physical Units and the Principle of Rationality of Measurement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Robert J Buenker ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Rest System ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Definite Factor ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Uniform Scaling ◽  
Determining Factor

One of the most basic principles in science is the objectivity of measurement of physical properties. According to the special theory of relativity (STR), this ancient principle is violated for observers in relative motion since it predicts that they generally will disagree on the ratios of the lengths of two objects and also on whose clock is running slower at any given time. Both predictions stem from the Lorentz transformation (LT), which is the centerpiece of Einstein's STR. It has recently been pointed out that two of the claims of this theory are mutually contradictory; it is impossible that the rates of two clocks in motion are strictly proportional to one another (time dilation) while one of them finds that two events are simultaneous whereas the other does not (remote nonsimultaneity). This recognition proves that the LT is not a valid component of the relativistic theory of motion, including its well-known thesis that space and time are not distinct quantities. Instead, it has always been found experimentally that the rates of clocks in motion are governed by a Universal Timedilation Law (UTDL), whereby the speed of the clock relative to a specific rest system is the sole determining factor. A simple way of describing this state of affairs is to say that the standard unit of time in each rest frame is different and increases with its relative speed to the above rest system by a definite factor. The measurement process is thereby rendered to be completely objective in nature. A key goal of relativity theory is therefore to develop a quantitatively valid method for determining this factor. It will be shown that the same factor appears in the true relativistic space-time transformation and that it also plays a key role in the uniform scaling of all other physical properties

Early work and the Theory of Electrons

2021 ◽  
pp. 54-75
Author(s):  
A. J. Kox ◽  
H. F. Schatz
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
World View ◽  
Zeeman Effect ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Electromagnetic Theory ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Audience ◽  
Special Relativity Theory

Chapter 4 contains an overview of Lorentz’s early work in terms accessible to a general audience. It sheds light on his unique place in science and the importance of his ideas, especially in the field of electromagnetic theory (his theory of electrons). A description of physics in the early nineteenth century, highlighting the role of Faraday and Maxwell, is followed by a discussion of Lorentz’s dissertation and his research program, the explanation of the Zeeman effect and the introduction of the electron, as well as the role of the ether. In this context the famous experiment by Michelson and Morley is also discussed, as well as the electromagnetic world view, Einstein’s special theory of relativity, and the question of which theory was to be preferred: Lorentz’s electron theory or Einstein’s special relativity theory?

Einstein

Lightspeed ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 144-158
Author(s):  
John C. H. Spence
Keyword(s):  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Simple Explanation ◽  
Flowing Water ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Speed Of Light ◽  
Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Absolute Frame ◽  
The Universe

The confused state of theoretical physics in 1900 and the great unresolved issues are summarized, one of which led to the birth of quantum mechanics, and the other to relativity. How it seemed impossible to reconcile Bradley’s measurements of the speed of light with Fresnel’s Aether drag hypothesis, which was well supported by Fizeau’s measurements in Paris of the speed of light in a moving medium (flowing water). Maxwell’s equations predicted a constant speed of light, suggesting an absolute frame of reference in the universe, but did not “transform” in the same way as Newton’s equations from one moving observer to another. How Einstein made sense of all these rival theories and experimental results with his unifying theory of relativity, based on two assumptions. His life and work is discussed, and a simple explanation given of his relativity theory. How the failure of this search for an absolute frame of reference in our universe led him inexorably to perhaps the most famous equation in physics E = mc2, giving the energy release from nuclear explosions and the stars.

The black hole symphony: probing new physics using gravitational waves

2008 ◽  
Vol 366 (1884) ◽  
pp. 4365-4379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R Gair
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
New Physics ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Laser Interferometers ◽  
Near Future ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Universe

The next decade will very likely see the birth of a new field of astronomy as we become able to directly detect gravitational waves (GWs) for the first time. The existence of GWs is one of the key predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity, but they have eluded direct detection for the last century. This will change thanks to a new generation of laser interferometers that are already in operation or which are planned for the near future. GW observations will allow us to probe some of the most exotic and energetic events in the Universe, the mergers of black holes. We will obtain information about the systems to a precision unprecedented in astronomy, and this will revolutionize our understanding of compact astrophysical systems. Moreover, if any of the assumptions of relativity theory are incorrect, this will lead to subtle, but potentially detectable, differences in the emitted GWs. Our observations will thus provide very precise verifications of the theory in an as yet untested regime. In this paper, I will discuss what GW observations could tell us about known and (potentially) unknown physics.

scholarly journals Design, analysis and reformulation of a didactic sequence for teaching the special theory of relativity in high school

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 3401-1-3401-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Rita Otero ◽  
Marcelo Arlego ◽  
Fabiana Prodanoff
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Special Relativity ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Galilean Relativity ◽  
Firm Basis ◽  
The Subject

In this work, we design, implement and analyze a didactic sequence for the teaching of the basic topics of special relativity theory in high school. The sequence proposes a series of situations, specially designed to allow the emergence of the central aspects of special relativity. The conceptualization process is investigated from the point of view of the theory of conceptual fields of Vergnaud. By means of a careful analysis of classroom student productions we detect the key theorems-in-action they use, evidencing that most of conceptual errors are of pre-relativistic nature. This leads us to a reformulation of the sequence, which promotes the conceptualization of Galilean relativity and the principles of the special relativity. This previous step aims at bringing to students a firm basis to address the more complex aspects of the subject.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document