Showing papers on "Special relativity (alternative formulations) published in 1977"
TL;DR: In this article, the role of convention in various definitions of clock synchronization and simultaneity is investigated, and two principal methods of synchronization can be considered: system internal and system external synchronization.
Abstract: The role of convention in various definitions of clock synchronization and simultaneity is investigated. We show that two principal methods of synchronization can be considered: system internal and system external synchronization. Synchronization by the Einstein procedure and by slow clock transport turn out to be equivalent if and only if the time dilatation factor is given by the Einstein result (1−v
2)1/2. An ether theory is constructed that maintains absolute simultaneity and is kinematically equivalent to special relativity.
404 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, first-order tests of special relativity are based on a comparison of clocks synchronized with the help of slow clock transport with those synchronized by the Einstein procedure, which enables the measurement of the one-way velocity of light and is equivalent to a measurement of time dilatation factor.
Abstract: First-order tests of special relativity are based on a comparison of clocks synchronized with the help of slow clock transport with those synchronized by the Einstein procedure. This comparison enables the measurement of the one-way velocity of light and is equivalent to a measurement of the time dilatation factor. The accuracy of present measurements is of the order 10−7, yielding an upper limit of 3 cm/sec for the ether drift.
176 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss research performed in group theory and general relativity, including representations of the rotation group, the Lorentz group, and the SL(2, C) symmetry of the gravitational field.
Abstract: : The report discusses research performed in group theory and general relativity. It includes the following: Representations of the rotation group; Representations of the Lorentz group; SL(2, C) symmetry of the gravitational field; Applications of the group SU(2) to gravitational and electromagnetic fields; Equations of motion in general relativity; and Miscellaneous. (Author)
143 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the second-order optical tests of special relativity are discussed within the framework of the test theory developed previously, and several experiments are suggested to improve this-accuracy.
Abstract: Various second-order optical tests of special relativity are discussed within the framework of the test theory developed previously. Owing to the low accuracy of the Kennedy-Thorndike experiment, the Lorentz contraction is known by direct experiments only to an accuracy of a few percent. To improve this-accuracy several experiments are suggested.
110 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose fundamental notations for real vector spaces and dual spaces, including tensors and multilinear forms, and connections and Covariant Differentiation.
Abstract: 0. Fundamental Not(at)ions.- I. Real Vector Spaces.- II. Affine Spaces.- III. Dual Spaces.- IV. Metric Vector Spaces.- V. Tensors and Multilinear Forms.- VI Topological Vector Spaces.- VII. Differentiation and Manifolds.- VIII. Connections and Covariant Differentiation.- IX. Geodesics.- X. Curvature.- XI. Special Relativity.- XII. General Relativity.- Index of Notations.
79 citations
TL;DR: A broad survey of the mathematics of general relativity theory is presented in this paper.Among the topics covered are Einstein field equations, cosmological models, black holes, space-times, and electromagnetism.
Abstract: A broad survey of the mathematics of general relativity theory is presented. Among the topics covered are Einstein field equations, cosmological models, black holes, space-times, and electromagnetism.(AIP)
73 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: The rotation group spinor representation of the Lorentz group spinors has been studied in general relativity theory as discussed by the authors, and it has been shown that spinors can be represented by a principal series of representations of SL(2,C) spinors.
Abstract: The rotation group the Lorentz group spinor representation of the Lorentz group principal series of representations of SL(2,C) complementary series of representations of SL(2,C) complete series of representations of SL(2,C) elements of general relativity theory spinors in general relativity SL(2,C) gauge theory of the gravitational field - the Newman-Penrose equations analysis of the gravitational field some exact solutions of the gravitational field equations the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs Group
47 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the general relativity field equations in two and three-dimensional space-times were considered, and it was shown that empty space must be flat, that a de Sitter solution exists, and that finite mass distributions with constant surface density must have zero surface tension.
Abstract: We consider the general relativity field equations in two‐ and three‐dimensional space–times. We find that in a two‐dimensional space–time we can have curvature but not matter. In a three‐dimensional space–time we find that empty space must be flat, that a de Sitter solution exists, and that finite mass distributions with constant surface density must have zero ’’surface tension.’’ Finally, an expanding dust‐filled universe turns out to be like Milne’s model.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that there is no real, physically detectable, local inertial-induction effect in general relativity, contrary to recent comments by Tittle and others.
Abstract: I review arguments indicating that there is no real, physically detectable, local inertial-induction effect in general relativity, contrary to recent comments by Tittle.
TL;DR: In this paper, a general covariant and locally Lorentz invariant theory of a Majorana spinor field ψ μ α was proposed, which has no elementary spin-2 quanta, but does reproduce Einstein's general relativity as a classical solution.
01 Jan 1977
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the arbitrariness in the choice of coordinates in an inertial system is almost equivalent to that of a special clock synchronization in special relativity.
Abstract: Reichenbach, Grunbaum, and others have argued that special relativity is based on arbitrary conventions concerning clock synchronizations. Here we present a mathematical framework which shows that this conventionality is almost equivalent to the arbitrariness in the choice of coordinates in an inertial system. Since preferred systems of coordinates can uniquely be defined by means of the Lorentz invariance of physical laws irrespective of the properties of light signals, a special clock synchronization—Einstein's standard synchrony—is selected by this principle. No further restrictions conerning light signal synchronization, as proposed, e.g., by Ellis and Bowman, are required in order to refute conventionalism in special relativity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assume only that special relativity gives the correct account of the spatial and temporal relations of (non-mental) psysical events, and they assume that mental events occur in the same field of temporal relations as physical events that a pain occurs ten minutes after a rain storm began but fifteen minutes before the beginning of the late Show.
Abstract: I assume the correctness of special relativity for convenience. The local validity of special relativity (i.e., that spacetime is locally flat) would be sufficient. In order to avoid begging the question at issue, I am assuming only that special relativity gives the correct account of the spatial and temporal relations of (non-mental) psysical events. As for P2, I am simply taking it as an obvious fact of experience that mental events occur in the same field of temporal relations as (non-mental) physical events that a pain, for example, can occur ten minutes after a rain storm began but fifteen minutes before the beginning of the late Show.
TL;DR: Einstein's seminal paper on the special relativity theory of 1905 "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" is discussed in its historic context as mentioned in this paper, and it is shown how different was Einstein's approach to the electrodynamic of moving bodies from that of a major research effort which attempted to deduce all of physics from H. A. Lorentz's electromagnetic field theory.
Abstract: Einstein’s seminal paper on the special relativity theory of 1905 ’’On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies’’ is discussed in its historic context. It is shown how different was Einstein’s approach to the electrodynamics of moving bodies from that of a major research effort which attempted to deduce all of physics from H. A. Lorentz’s electromagnetic field theory—the electromagnetic world picture.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple method was given to device the equations of motion of a test particle in General Relativity theory, where the test particle was assumed to be a single point.
Abstract: A simple method is given to device the equations of motion of a test particle in General Relativity theory.
TL;DR: This paper presented a new and annotated translation of this first part of the paper, together with a brief discussion of certain aspects of Einstein's paper, which they used in their paper.
Abstract: Because of its exceptional significance in the history of great ideas in science, Einstein’s first paper on relativity, especially its first part, deserves a more careful translation into English than presently exists. A new and annotated translation of this first part is presented here, together with a brief discussion of certain aspects of Einstein’s paper.
TL;DR: In this article, a correspondence between solutions of physically different electrodynamic problems related by linear transformations of the space-metric and of the tensor characteristics of the media is established.
Abstract: As is well known, Maxwell equations in vacuum are covariant under a transformation of the Lorentz group. The same equations in a material medium have a more general symmetry group and retain their form under arbitrary nondegenerate linear transformations of space-time variables to which, naturally, are added definite rules for recalculating fields and material characteristics of the medium. This enables a formal correspondence to be established between solutions of physically different electrodynamic problems related by linear transformations of the space-metric and of the tensor characteristics of the media. Such a correspondence (comparison) turns out to be useful, in particular, for investigating the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the presence of external gravitational fields, and also in systems with moving inhomogeneities or sources. Some examples of comparisons are examined and the results obtained in the course of this are indicated. A discussion is given of the relationship of the comparison method to the transformations of special and general theories of relativity.
TL;DR: In this article, the charged tachyon of variable velocity was examined within the framework of classical electrodynamics and unextended special relativity and an equation of motion without radiation reaction terms was derived by a method which yields the Lorentz-Dirac equation in the case of slower-than-light particles.
Abstract: The charged tachyon is examined within the framework of classical electrodynamics and unextended special relativity An equation of motion without radiation reaction terms is derived by a method which yields the Lorentz-Dirac equation in the case of slower-than-light particles We conclude that a charged tachyon of variable velocity does not emit electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum and that, in particular, Cerenkov radiation in a vacuum is forbidden
TL;DR: Upon making the assumption of a universe filled with a non-interacting mixture of non-relativistic matter and radiation, general relativity could in principle test general relativity by measuring the first five derivatives of the scale factor.
Abstract: General relativity theory could be tested on a cosmological scale by measuring the Hubble constant and the deceleration parameter, if, in addition, everything could be known about the matter filling the universe. If, on the other hand, nothing could be presupposed about the matter content of the universe, general relativity could not be tested by measuring any number of time derivatives of the scale factor. But upon making the assumption of a universe filled with a non-interacting mixture of non-relativistic matter and radiation we can in principle test general relativity by measuring the first five derivatives of the scale factor. In the following, some general relations are presented using this assumption.
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that all asymptotically flat stationary solutions (including solutions with ergoregions) whose sources obey the strong energy condition and which have a maximal slice have positive mass.
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: Recently, special relativity has been extended to superluminal inertial frames and faster-than-light objects (tachyons) as discussed by the authors, which yielded the framework for building up a classical, relativistic theory of tachyons.
Abstract: Recently, special relativity has been extended1–4 to Superluminal inertial frames and faster-than-light objects (tachyons). It yielded the framework for building up a classical, relativistic theory of tachyons1,2.