scholarly journals The Clock Paradox and the General Theory of Relativity

1957 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
GR Isaak
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Time Diagram ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Clock Paradox

The clock paradox (Dingle 1956; McCrea 1956) which arises when the Special Theory of Relativity is applied to the problem of two identical clocks having different histories in the space time diagram is resolved by the General Theory of Relativity (G.T.R.) (Tolman 1934).

Albert Einstein’s Epistemic Virtues and Vices

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-195
Author(s):  
Vladimir P. Vizgin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
General Relativity ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Mathematical Aspect ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Epistemic Virtues ◽  
The Universe

The article is based on the concepts of epistemic virtues and epistemic vices and explores A. Einstein’s contribution to the creation of fundamental physical theories, namely the special theory of relativity and general theory of relativity, as well as to the development of a unified field theory on the basis of the geometric field program, which never led to success. Among the main epistemic virtues that led Einstein to success in the construction of the special theory of relativity are the following: a unique physical intuition based on the method of thought experiment and the need for an experimental justification of space-time concepts; striving for simplicity and elegance of theory; scientific courage, rebelliousness, signifying the readiness to engage in confrontation with scientific conventional dogmas and authorities. In the creation of general theory of relativity, another intellectual virtue was added to these virtues: the belief in the heuristic power of the mathematical aspect of physics. At the same time, he had to overcome his initial underestimation of the H. Minkowski’s four-dimensional concept of space and time, which has manifested in a distinctive flexibility of thinking typical for Einstein in his early years. The creative role of Einstein’s mistakes on the way to general relativity was emphasized. These mistakes were mostly related to the difficulties of harmonizing the mathematical and physical aspects of theory, less so to epistemic vices. The ambivalence of the concept of epistemic virtues, which can be transformed into epistemic vices, is noted. This transformation happened in the second half of Einstein’s life, when he for more than thirty years unsuccessfully tried to build a unified geometric field theory and to find an alternative to quantum mechanics with their probabilistic and Copenhagen interpretation In this case, we can talk about the following epistemic vices: the revaluation of mathematical aspect and underestimation of experimentally – empirical aspect of the theory; adopting the concepts general relativity is based on (continualism, classical causality, geometric nature of fundamental interactions) as fundamental; unprecedented persistence in defending the GFP (geometrical field program), despite its failures, and a certain loss of the flexibility of thinking. A cosmological history that is associated both with the application of GTR (general theory of relativity) to the structure of the Universe, and with the missed possibility of discovering the theory of the expanding Universe is intermediate in relation to Einstein’s epistemic virtues and vices. This opportunity was realized by A.A. Friedmann, who defeated Einstein in the dispute about if the Universe was stationary or nonstationary. In this dispute some of Einstein’s vices were revealed, which Friedman did not have. The connection between epistemic virtues and the methodological principles of physics and also with the “fallibilist” concept of scientific knowledge development has been noted.

4. Energy, mass, and light

2019 ◽  
pp. 39-51
Author(s):  
Geoff Cottrell
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Speed Of Light ◽  
Space And Time

By the beginning of the twentieth century, our understanding of matter was completely transformed by the great discoveries of electromagnetism and relativity. ‘Energy, mass, and light’ outlines Einstein’s special theory of relativity of 1905, which describes what happens when objects move at speeds close to the speed of light. The theory transformed our understanding of the nature of space and time, and matter through the equivalence of mass and energy. In 1916, Einstein extended the theory to include gravity in the general theory of relativity, which revealed that matter affects space by curving space around it.

Einstein’s Intellectual Odyssey to General Relativity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanoch Gutfreund ◽  
Jürgen Renn
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Equivalence Principle ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Theory Of Gravitation ◽  
To Come

This section discusses the development of Albert Einstein's ideas and attitudes as he struggled for eight years to come up with a general theory of relativity that would meet the physical and mathematical requirements laid down at the outset. It first considers Einstein's work on gravitation in Prague before analyzing three documents that played a significant role in his search for a theory of general relativity: the Zurich Notebook, the Einstein–Grossmann Entwurf paper, and the Einstein–Besso manuscript. It then looks at Einstein's completion of his general theory of relativity in Berlin in November 1915, along with his development of a new theory of gravitation within the framework of the special theory of relativity. It also examines the formulation of the basic idea that Einstein termed the “equivalence principle,” his Entwurf theory vs. David Hilbert's theory, and the 1916 manuscript of Einstein's work on the general theory of relativity.

scholarly journals Inconsistency between the general theory of relativity and the experimental results of Faraday's unipolar inductor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Patrinos
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Electromotive Force ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Rotating System ◽  
Quantitative Estimates

The non-inertiality of the rotating system of Faraday's unipolar generator forces us to address this problem using the principles of the general theory of relativity. The purpose of this study is to compare the theoretical quantitative estimates of induced electromotive force with the experimental results obtained from the corresponding measurements. The theoretical elaboration of this issue proves that the differences between the results of the general theory in relation to those of the special theory of relativity are some negligible terms, which are due to the non-inertiality of the rotating reference system. This result enables us to consider the theoretical estimates based on special and general relativity as equivalent, with quite satisfactory accuracy. Therefore, a very serious issue of inconsistency between the theory of relativity and the measurements of induced electromotive force emerges, since as already shown in the existing literature, this inconsistency, from the point of view of the special theory of relativity, is already proven.

scholarly journals Inconsistency between the general theory of relativity and the experimental results of Faraday's unipolar inductor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Patrinos
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Electromotive Force ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Rotating System ◽  
Quantitative Estimates

The non-inertiality of the rotating system of Faraday's unipolar generator forces us to address this problem using the principles of the general theory of relativity. The purpose of this study is to compare the theoretical quantitative estimates of induced electromotive force with the experimental results obtained from the corresponding measurements. The theoretical elaboration of this issue proves that the differences between the results of the general theory in relation to those of the special theory of relativity are some negligible terms, which are due to the non-inertiality of the rotating reference system. This result enables us to consider the theoretical estimates based on special and general relativity as equivalent, with quite satisfactory accuracy. Therefore, a very serious issue of inconsistency between the theory of relativity and the measurements of induced electromotive force emerges, since as already shown in the existing literature, this inconsistency, from the point of view of the special theory of relativity, is already proven.

3. Relativity and its philosophy

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-72
Author(s):  
David Wallace
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Speed Of Light ◽  
Newtonian Physics ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter discusses how relativity theory affects our ideas about space, time, and motion. The special theory of relativity does not introduce the idea that motion is relative: it combines that idea, already present in Newtonian physics, with the idea that the speed of light does not depend on the motion of the source. This combination has surprising consequences: that moving clocks run slow; that moving rods shrink. This is apparently in flat contradiction with the relativity principle. The resolution of this paradox looks very different depending on one’s view of what spacetime is: is it simply a codification of physics, or can it do explanatory work in its own right. Thus the paradox lets us get clearer on what is at stake in these questions about the nature of spacetime. Relativity also imperils the idea that simultaneity—the relationship between two events when they occur at the same time—is relative and/or conventional. The epilogue of the chapter briefly discusses the general theory of relativity.

scholarly journals On Becoming, Cosmic Time and Rotating Universes

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 253-276
Author(s):  
Mauro Dorato
Keyword(s):  
Field Equation ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Crucial Aspect ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Right

AbstractIn the literature on the compatibility between the time of our experience and the time of physics, the special theory of relativity has enjoyed central stage. By bringing into the discussion the general theory of relativity, I suggest a new analysis of the misunderstood notion of becoming, developed from hints in Gödel's published and unpublished arguments for the ideality of time. I claim that recent endorsements of such arguments, based on Gödel's own ‘rotating’ solution to Einstein's field equation, fail: once understood in the right way, becoming can be shown to be both mind-independent and compatible with spacetime physics. Being a needed tertium quid between views of time traditionally regarded as in conflict, such a new approach to becoming should also help to dissolve a crucial aspect of the century-old debate between the so-called A and B theories of time.

scholarly journals Philosophy in science – a case study of the reception of the Special and the General Theory of Relativity in Kraków and Lwów before 1925

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 245-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Polak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Scientific Activity ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Philosophical Debate ◽  
Science Philosophy ◽  
The Impact

A centenary of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity brings forward some questions with regard to the impact of Einstein’s theory on philosophy. This theory, and the chronologically earlier Special Theory of Relativity, have had many important philosophical implications. In Poland they provoked interesting philosophical discussions before WWII. The history of those discussions reveals numerous noteworthy facts concerning the relationships between mathematics, physics and philosophy. A case study of the reception of the Special and General Theory of Relativity in Kraków and Lwów before 1925 focuses on the peculiar specificity of exact sciences and philosophy in Polish Galicia. The concept of “philosophy in science” coined by Michael Heller is particularly suitable for describing this specificity. The article begins with a short overview of the early reception of the Special Theory of Relativity in Kraków. Next, it shows how the discussions during the 10th and 11th Congresses of Polish Physicians and Natural Scientists (Lwów 1907, Kraków 1911) influenced the reception of the STR. What is also discussed are the roots of the specificity of the reception in Lwów, i.e. the influence of the considerations about the foundations of mechanics and a public philosophical debate around Einstein’s theories. In order to demonstrate how different the reception of these theories was in Kraków, a description is provided of a methodological debate between S. Zaremba and T. Banachiewicz. Some notes are also added about the concurrent styles of philosophy of science (philosophy of nature). The article ends with conclusions about the specificity of Kraków’s and Lwów’s styles of philosophy in science. This study reveals that in this period Einstein’s theories significantly stimulated philosophical considerations in Poland. These considerations have become an important supplement to the scientific activity in Kraków and Lwów.

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