A Simple Derivation of Time Dilation and Length Contraction in Special Relativity

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 410-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Behroozi
1998 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 977-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg D. Jefimenko

Abstract Recent advances in the theory of electromagnetic retardation have made it possible to derive the basic equations of the special relativity theory and to duplicate the most important practical results of this theory without using the concepts of relativistic length contraction and time dilation. Thus the reality of these concepts appears to be questionable. It is imperative therefore to reexamine the experimental evidence supporting these concepts. The calculations presented in this paper show that some of the experiments allegedly proving the reality of length contraction and time dilation can be unambiguously interpreted as manifestations of velocity-dependent dynamical interactions taking place within the systems involved in the experiments rather than as manifestations of length contraction or time dilation.


Author(s):  
Michael Silberstein ◽  
W.M. Stuckey ◽  
Timothy McDevitt

Before explaining how the God’s-eye view resolves the impasse of theoretical physics and foundations of physics created by the ant’s-eye view, the book presents a detailed argument for the block universe. Accordingly, the main thread of chapter 2 shows how the relativity of simultaneity resolves the paradoxes associated with time dilation and length contraction that result from special relativity. A short argument is then presented showing how the relativity of simultaneity implies a block universe, that is, the co-reality or co-existence of the past, present, and future. Philosophy of Physics for Chapter 2 provides a detailed argument for block universe, taking into account all counterarguments and assumptions of the abridged argument in the main thread. Foundational Physics for Chapter 2 shows how the second postulate of special relativity leads to time dilation and length contraction, and it contains the Lorentz transformations for the spacetime events used in the main thread.


Author(s):  
David M. Wittman

The equivalence principle is an important thinking tool to bootstrap our thinking from the inertial coordinate systems of special relativity to the more complex coordinate systems that must be used in the presence of gravity (general relativity). The equivalence principle posits that at a given event gravity accelerates everything equally, so gravity is equivalent to an accelerating coordinate system.This conjecture is well supported by precise experiments, so we explore the consequences in depth: gravity curves the trajectory of light as it does other projectiles; the effects of gravity disappear in a freely falling laboratory; and gravitymakes time runmore slowly in the basement than in the attic—a gravitational form of time dilation. We show how this is observable via gravitational redshift. Subsequent chapters will build on this to show how the spacetime metric varies with location.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan J. G. Gift

Asymmetrical time dilation in the Global Positioning System (GPS) invalidates the relativity principle of special relativity since it confirms the existence of a preferred frame that is prohibited by the principle. It also contradicts symmetrical time dilation predicted by special relativity.


1987 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1428-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Winterberg

If all the forces of nature can be reduced to those which follow from a linear combination of a scalar and vector potential, as in electrodynamics, Lorentz invariance can be derived as a dynamic symmetry. All that has to be done is to assume that there is an all pervading substratum or ether, transmitting those forces through space, and that all physical bodies actually observed are held together by those forces. Under this assumption bodies in absolute motion through the substratum suffer a true contraction equal to the Lorentz contraction, and as a result of this contraction clocks in absolute motion go slower by the same amount. The velocity of light appears then to be equal in all inertial reference systems, if Einstein’s clock synchronization convention by reflected light signals is used and which presupposes this result. The Lorentz contraction and time dilation measured on an object at rest relative to an observer who gained a velocity by an accelerated motion is there explained as an illusion caused by a true Lorentz contraction and time dilation of the observer.Both the special relativistic kinematic interpretation and this alternative dynamic interpretation give identical results only in the adiabatic limit where the accelerations are small, because if the Lorentz contraction is a real physical effect, it must take a finite time. However, to break the peculiar interaction symmetry with the ether, and which in the dynamic interpretation is the cause for the Lorentz invariance, the accelerated motions must involve rotation. Only then can non-adiabatic relativity-violating effects be observed and which would establish a preferred reference system at rest with the ether. Under most circumstances relativity-violating effects resulting from such a dynamic interpretation of special relativity would be very small and difficult to observe, a likely reason why they have evaded their detection in the past. For the rotating earth a residual sideral tide has been observed with a superconducting gravimeter, and which could be explained by an “ether wind” of about 300 km /sec at rest with the cosmic microwave background radiation. However, because of the observational uncertainties in measuring the terrestrial tides no definite conclusion can be drawn. A number of new experiments are therefore needed to decide the question regarding a possible weak violation of special relativity.


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