Showing papers on "Special relativity (alternative formulations) published in 1999"
TL;DR: This review is concerned with a discussion of numerical methods for the solution of the equations of special relativistic hydrodynamics (SRHD), and particular emphasis is put on a comprehensive review of the application of high-resolution shock-capturing methods in SRHD.
Abstract: This review is concerned with a discussion of numerical methods for the solution of the equations of special relativistic hydrodynamics (SRHD). Particular emphasis is put on a comprehensive review of the application of high-resolution shock-capturing methods in SRHD. Results obtained with different numerical SRHD methods are compared, and two astrophysical applications of SRHD flows are discussed. An evaluation of the various numerical methods is given and future developments are analyzed.
376 citations
17 Aug 1999
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the ''Lorentzian pedagogy'' defended by J.S. Bell in his essay ''How to teach special relativity'' and explore its consistency with Einstein's thinking from 1905 to 1952.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the `Lorentzian Pedagogy' defended by J.S. Bell in his essay ``How to teach special relativity'', and to explore its consistency with Einstein's thinking from 1905 to 1952. Some remarks are also made in this context on Weyl's philosophy of relativity and his 1918 gauge theory. Finally, it is argued that the Lorentzian pedagogy---which stresses the important connection between kinematics and dynamics---clarifies the role of rods and clocks in general relativity.
84 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the ''Lorentzian pedagogy'' defended by J.S. Bell in his essay ''How to teach special relativity'' and explore its consistency with Einstein's thinking from 1905 to 1952.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the `Lorentzian pedagogy' defended by J.S. Bell in his essay ``How to teach special relativity'', and to explore its consistency with Einstein's thinking from 1905 to 1952. Some remarks are also made in this context on Weyl's philosophy of relativity and his 1918 gauge theory. Finally, it is argued that the Lorentzian pedagogy - which stresses the important connection between kinematics and dynamics - clarifies the role of rods and clocks in general relativity.
70 citations
TL;DR: This review is concerned with a discussion of numerical methods for the solution of the equations of special relativistic hydrodynamics (SRHD) and particular emphasis is put on a comprehensive review of the application of high-resolution shock-capturing methods in SRHD.
Abstract: This review is concerned with a discussion of numerical methods for the solution of the equations of special relativistic hydrodynamics (SRHD). Particular emphasis is put on a comprehensive review of the application of high-resolution shock-capturing methods in SRHD. Results obtained with different numerical SRHD methods are compared, and two astrophysical applications of SRHD flows are discussed. An evaluation of the various numerical methods is given and future developments are analyzed.
65 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a non-time-orthogonality analysis of rotating disks is presented, and the results of the analysis are shown to be consistent with the special and general theories of relativity.
Abstract: This paper is a brief overview of a more extensive article recently published in Found. Phys. Lett. [2]. Apparent disagreement with experiment as well as internal inconsistencies found in the traditional analysis of relativistically rotating frames/disks are summarized. As one example, a point p at 0 degrees on the circumference of a rotating disk does not, according to the standard theory, exist at the same moment in time as the same point p at 360 degrees. This and other problems with the standard theory are completely resolved by a novel analysis that directly addresses, apparently for the first time, the non-time-orthogonal nature of rotating frames. Though ultimately consonant with the special and general theories of relativity, due to non-time-orthogonality, the analysis predicts several peculiar (i.e., not traditionally relativistic) results. For example, the local circumferential speed of light is not invariant (thereby agreeing with the Sagnac experiment), and no Lorentz contraction exists along the disk rim. Other experimental results, including time dilation, mass-energy dependence on speed, and what has heretofore been considered a \"spurious\" signal in the most accurate Michelson-Morley experiment performed to date, are accurately predicted. Further, the widely accepted postulate for the equivalence of co-moving inertial and non-inertial rods, used liberally with prior rotating frame analyses, is shown to be invalid for non-time-orthogonal frames. This understanding of the ramifications of non-time-orthogonality resolves paradoxes inherent in the traditional theory.
45 citations
TL;DR: The results have provided endless fascination and puzzlement to the general public, and have had an enormous impact on our conceptual framework for understanding nature as discussed by the authors, which has been the most profound conceptual advance in 20th century physics.
Abstract: Except for quantum mechanics—a more than modest exception—relativity has been the most profound conceptual advance in 20th century physics. Both in developing special and general relativity, Albert Einstein’s hallmark was to anchor his theory on a few simple but profound principles. The results have provided endless fascination and puzzlement to the general public, and have had an enormous impact on our conceptual framework for understanding nature.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the normalized energy eigenspinors of the free Dirac field on anti-de Sitter spacetime were derived by using a Cartesian tetrad gauge where the separation of spherical variables can be done as in special relativity.
Abstract: I show how to derive the normalized energy eigenspinors of the free Dirac field on anti--de Sitter spacetime by using a Cartesian tetrad gauge where the separation of spherical variables can be done as in special relativity.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the relation between the special and the general principle of relativity to the principle of covariance is discussed and a modification of the principle is suggested, which may serve as a restricted criterium for a physical law to satisfy the special principle.
Abstract: The relation of the special and the general principle of relativity to the principle of covariance, the principle of equivalence and Mach's principle, is discussed. In particular, the connection between Lorentz covariance and the special principle of relativity is illustrated by giving Lorentz covariant formulations of laws that violate the special principle of relativity: Ohm's law and what we call “Aristotle's first and second laws.” An “Aristotelian” universe in which all motion is relative to “absolute space” is considered. The first law: a free particle is at rest. The second law: force is proportional to velocity. Ohm's law: the current density is proportional to the electrical field strength. Neither of these laws fulfills the principle of relativity. The examples illustrate, in the context of Lorentz covariance and special relativity, Kretschmann's critique of founding Einstein's general principle of relativity on the principle of general covariance. A modification of the principle of covariance is suggested, which may serve as a restricted criterium for a physical law to satisfy Einstein's general principle of relativity. Other objections that have been raised to the validity of Einstein's general principle of relativity are based upon the preferred state of inertial frames in the general, as well as in the special theory, the existence of tidal effects in “true” gravitational fields, doubts as to the validity of Mach's principle, whether electromagnetic phenomena obey the principle, and, finally, the anisotropy of the cosmic background radiation. These objections are reviewed and discussed.
23 citations
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison system for the notion of objective existence and inertial frame is proposed and transformations connecting inertialframes are shown to be either Lorentz or generalized Galilei.
Abstract: A free system, considered to be a comparisonsystem, allows for the notion of objective existence andinertial frame. Transformations connecting inertialframes are shown to be either Lorentz or generalizedGalilei.
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13 Jun 1999TL;DR: In this article, an introductory textbook on applications of general relativity to astrophysics and cosmology is presented, which can be read on two levels: first as an introductory fast-track course, and then as a detailed course reinforced by problems which illuminate technical examples.
Abstract: This is an introductory textbook on applications of general relativity to astrophysics and cosmology. The aim is to provide graduate students with a toolkit for understanding astronomical phenomena that involve velocities close to that of light or intense gravitational fields. The approach taken is first to give the reader a thorough grounding in special relativity, with space-time the central concept, following which general relativity presents few conceptual difficulties. Examples of relativistic gravitation in action are drawn from the astrophysical domain. The book can be read on two levels: first as an introductory fast-track course, and then as a detailed course reinforced by problems which illuminate technical examples. The book has extensive links to the literature of relativistic astrophysics and cosmology.
01 Jan 1999
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an updated discussion of the possible implications of this pattern for cosmic-ray physics at very high energy (approximately 10 − 6 − 6 ) scales.
Abstract: Lorentz symmetry violation (LSV) is often discussed using models of the $TH\epsilon \mu $ type which involve, basically, energy independent parameters However, if LSV is generated at the Planck scale or at some other fundamental length scale, it can naturally preserve Lorentz symmetry as a low-energy limit (deformed Lorentz symmetry, DLS) Deformed relativistic kinematics (DRK) would be consistent with special relativity in the limit $k$ (wave vector) $\to ~0$ and allow for a deformed version of general relativity and gravitation We present an updated discussion of the possible implications of this pattern for cosmic-ray physics at very high energy A $\approx ~10^{-6}$ LSV at Planck scale, leading to a DLS pattern, would potentially be enough to produce very important observable effects on the properties of cosmic rays at the $\approx \~10^{20} eV$ scale (absence of GZK cutoff, stability of unstable particles, lower interaction rates, kinematical failure of the parton model) We compare our approach with more recent similar claims made by S Coleman and S Glashow from models of the $TH\epsilon \mu$ type
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01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: In this paper, Aczel takes us on a fascinating journey into "the strange geometry of space-time," and into the mind of a genius, where the unthinkable becomes real: an infinite, everexpanding, ever-accelerating universe whose only absolute is the speed of light.
Abstract: Drawing on newly discovered letters of Einstein--many translated here for the first time--years of research, and interviews with prominent mathematicians, cosmologists, physicists, and astronomers, Aczel takes us on a fascinating journey into "the strange geometry of space-time," and into the mind of a genius. Here the unthinkable becomes real: an infinite, ever-expanding, ever-accelerating universe whose only absolute is the speed of light.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a straightforward calculation of the electric field of a steel sphere moving in a uniform magnetic field and demonstrate that any method of calculation consistent with Maxwell's equations in the laboratory frame predicts a p=v×m/c contribution to the electric dipole moment.
Abstract: A classic experiment in the history of special relativity was designed to test the prediction that a moving magnetic dipole m develops an electric dipole moment p=v×m/c. In 1913 the competing theory was Lorentz’s electron theory. The experiment used a rotating magnetic medium composed of steel spheres embedded in wax. The results of the experiment agreed with the prediction of special relativity. A paper by Pellegrini and Swift reanalyzed the experiment using rotating coordinates. Their calculation disagreed with special relativity. One possible source of the disagreement is the nature of medium used in the experiment. This paper presents a straightforward calculation of the electric field of a steel sphere moving in a uniform magnetic field. The result demonstrates that any method of calculation consistent with Maxwell’s equations in the laboratory frame predicts a p=v×m/c contribution to the electric dipole moment. The calculations are carried out for a single moving sphere, while the Wilson experiment was done on an assembly of many spheres. We present arguments making it plausible that our result holds for such an assembly.
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TL;DR: In this paper, a self-contained introduction to holomorphic ideas in general relativity is given, focusing on complex manifolds, spinor and twistor methods, and heaven spaces.
Abstract: An attempt is made of giving a self-contained introduction to holomorphic ideas in general relativity, following work over the last thirty years by several authors. The main topics are complex manifolds, spinor and twistor methods, heaven spaces.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose very simple optical measurements that can serve as an analog computer for testing special relativity, based on the basic result that the action of any multilayer is equivalent to a proper Lorentz transformation.
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TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that the resulting space-time geometry is Gaussian and the four-vector calculus has its roots in the complex-number algebra, furthermore, that Einstein's "relativity of simultaneity" is based on a misinterpretation of the principle of relativity.
Abstract: An analysis of composite inertial motion (relativistic sum) within the framework of special relativity leads to the conclusion that every translational motion must be the symmetrically composite relativistic sum of a finite number of quanta of velocity. It is shown that the resulting space-time geometry is Gaussian and the four-vector calculus has its roots in the complex-number algebra, furthermore, that Einstein's "relativity of simultaneity" is based on a misinterpretation of the principle of relativity. Among others predictions of the experimentally verified rise of the interaction-radii of hadrons in high energetic collisions are derived. From the theory also follows the equivalence of relativistically dilated time and relativistic mass as well as the existence of a quantum of time (fundamental length) and its quantitative value, to be found in good accord with experiment.
TL;DR: The relativistic invariance of the electromagnetic equations has been examined in this article, where the authors point out the need to reexamine the physical significance of some basic electromagnetic formulas and equations.
Abstract: It is common knowledge that Maxwell's electromagnetic equations are invariant under relativistic transformations. However the relativistic invariance of Maxwell's equations has certain heretofore over-looked peculiarities. These peculiarities point out to the need of reexamining the physical significance of some basic electromagnetic formulas and equations.
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TL;DR: In this article, a new method to generate rotating solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations from static solutions is presented, and several examples of its application are discussed, as well as its general properties.
Abstract: I present a new method to generate rotating solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations from static solutions, give several examples of its application, and discuss its general properties.
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01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: In this paper, the reasons of mature theory change in science are analyzed in the early 20th century, including General Theory, Special Relation and Quantum Field Theory (QFT).
Abstract: Contents: Methodological and history-of-science analysis of the reasons of mature theory change in science - General theory - Physics in the early 20th century - Special relativity and quantum theory - General relativity and quantum field theory.
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TL;DR: In this paper, a physical derivation of the Lorentz transformation (LT) is given, answering its main criticism and enlarging the area of applications of the theory of relativity.
Abstract: 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.