scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Special relativity (alternative formulations) published in 2011"




Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the relativistic Boltzmann collision operator is represented by an assortment of coordinates in which to represent the collision operator, and the equivalence between known representations and new ones is shown.
Abstract: It is often the case in mathematical analysis that solving an open problem can be facilitated by finding a new set of coordinates which may illumniate the known difficulties. In this article, we illustrate how to derive an assortment coordinates in which to represent the relativistic Boltzmann collision operator. We show the equivalence between some known representations [27, 15], and others which seem to be new. One of these representations has been used recently to solve several open problems in [42, 41, 30, 39].

45 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors provided an elementary introduction to the qualitative and quantitative results of velocity combination in special relativity, including the Wigner rotation and Thomas precession, in arguments presented at three differing levels: (1) utterly elementary, which will suit a first course in relativity; (2) intermediate, to suit a second course; and (3) advanced, to fit higher level students.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an elementary introduction to the qualitative and quantitative results of velocity combination in special relativity, including the Wigner rotation and Thomas precession. We utilize only the most familiar tools of special relativity, in arguments presented at three differing levels: (1) utterly elementary, which will suit a first course in relativity; (2) intermediate, to suit a second course; and (3) advanced, to suit higher level students. We then give a summary of useful results and suggest further reading in this often obscure field.

39 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that anomalous Cherenkov-like processes are forbidden if Lorentz symmetry is instead "deformed", preserving the relativity of inertial frames.
Abstract: In a recent study, Cohen and Glashow argue that superluminal neutrinos of the type recently reported by OPERA should be affected by anomalous Cherenkov-like processes. This causes them to loose much of their energy before reaching the OPERA detectors. Related concerns were reported also by Gonzalez-Mestres and Bi et. al., who argued that pions cannot decay to superluminal neutrinos over part of the energy range studied by OPERA. We observe here that these arguments are set within a framework in which Lorentz symmetry is broken, by the presence of a preferred frame. We further show that these anomalous processes are forbidden if Lorentz symmetry is instead "deformed", preserving the relativity of inertial frames. These deformations add non-linear terms to energy momentum relations, conservation laws and Lorentz transformations in a way that is consistent with the relativity of inertial observers.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a non-commutative spacetime structure, underlying the DISIM b (2 ) subgroup of the Poincare group is presented, which allows us to construct explicitly the generators of the group.

32 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the role that the distinction between principle and constructive theories has in the question of the explanatory power of Special Relativity and show how the distinction breaks down at the explanatory level.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the role that the distinction between principle and constructive theories have in the question of the explanatory power of Special Relativity. We show how the distinction breaks down at the explanatory level. We assess Harvey Brown’s (2005) claim that, as a principle theory, Special Relativity lacks of explanatory power and criticize it, as, we argue, based upon an unrealistic picture of the kind of explanations provided by principle (and constructive) theories. Finally, we claim that the structural account of explanation (Hughes 1989b) captures the explanatory success of Special Relativity.

31 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the loss of absolute locality is a general feature of theories beyond Special Relativity with an implementation of a relativity principle, and they give an explicit construction of such an implementation and compare it both with the previously mentioned framework of relative locality and the so-called Doubly special Relativity theories.
Abstract: Locality of interactions is an essential ingredient of Special Relativity. Recently, a new framework under the name of relative locality [G. Amelino-Camelia, L. Freidel, J. Kowalski-Glikman, and L. Smolin, arXiv:1101.0931.] has been proposed as a way to consider Planckian modifications of the relativistic dynamics of particles. We note in this paper that the loss of absolute locality is a general feature of theories beyond Special Relativity with an implementation of a relativity principle. We give an explicit construction of such an implementation and compare it both with the previously mentioned framework of relative locality and the so-called Doubly Special Relativity theories.

31 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper provided an elementary introduction to the qualitative and quantitative results of velocity combination in special relativity, including the Wigner rotation and Thomas precession, in arguments presented at three differing levels: (1) utterly elementary, which will suit a first course in relativity; (2) intermediate, to suit a second course; and (3) advanced, to fit higher level students.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an elementary introduction to the qualitative and quantitative results of velocity combination in special relativity, including the Wigner rotation and Thomas precession. We utilize only the most familiar tools of special relativity, in arguments presented at three differing levels: (1) utterly elementary, which will suit a first course in relativity; (2) intermediate, to suit a second course; and (3) advanced, to suit higher level students. We then give a summary of useful results, and suggest further reading in this often obscure field.

28 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarize what is known about the initial-boundary value problem for general relativity and discuss present problems related to it, and present solutions to the problems they identified.
Abstract: In this article we summarize what is known about the initial-boundary value problem for general relativity and discuss present problems related to it.

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
17 Mar 2011-Nature
TL;DR: Combining Maxwell's equations with Einstein's general relativity promises perfect images and cloaking devices, explains Ulf Leonhardt.
Abstract: Combining Maxwell's equations with Einstein's general relativity promises perfect images and cloaking devices, explains Ulf Leonhardt.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, Tiwari et al. model electron as a spherically symmetric charged perfect fluid distribution of matter and extend the existing model by assuming a matter source characterized by quadratic equation of state in the context of general theory of relativity.
Abstract: Motivated by earlier studies (Tiwari et al. in Astrophys. Space Sci. 182:105, 1984; Herrera and Varela in Phys. Lett. 189:11, 1994), we model electron as a spherically symmetric charged perfect fluid distribution of matter. The existing model is extended assuming a matter source that is characterized by quadratic equation of state in the context of general theory of relativity. For the suitable choices of the parameters, our charged fluid models almost satisfy the physical properties of electron.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a diagnostic questionnaire administered to a group of 30 senior undergraduates going through an introductory course on general relativity was used to investigate their understanding of the principle of equivalence.
Abstract: The principle of equivalence was the first vital clue to Einstein in his extension of special relativity to general relativity, the modern theory of gravitation. In this paper we investigate in some detail students' understanding of this principle in a variety of contexts, when they are undergoing an introductory course on general relativity. The tool of assessment is a diagnostic questionnaire administered to a group of 30 senior undergraduates going through the course. The analysis of responses reveals a number of significant conceptual vulnerabilities in several aspects of the topic. The most important among these is related to the notion of an inertial frame that follows naturally from the principle of equivalence.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, the projective hyperbolic model in Clifford analysis was used to show that different velocities in special relativity theory (non-standard, coordinate, proper and proper) correspond to taking different realizations of the Hyperbolic geometry in projective model.
Abstract: Using the projective hyperbolic model in Clifford analysis we show that different velocities in special relativity theory (non-standard velocities, coordinate velocities and proper velocities) corresponds to taking different realizations of the hyperbolic geometry in the projective model. A full description of the changes is given, together with a proof of the isomorphism of the related gyrogroup structures (Mobius, Einstein, and proper velocity gyrogroups).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Rahaman et al. as mentioned in this paper showed that charged fluid solutions in terms of pressure are not reducible to a well behaved neutral counter part for a spatial component of metrice λ β.
Abstract: Rahaman et al. (Astrophys. Space. Sci. 331:191–197, 2010) discussed some classical electron models (CEM) in general relativity. Bijalwan (Astrophys. Space. Sci. 334:139–143, 2011) present a general exact solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations in terms of pressure. We showed that charged fluid solutions in terms of pressure are not reducible to a well behaved neutral counter part for a spatial component of metrice λ . Hence, these solutions represent an electron model in general relativity. We illustrated solutions in terms of pressure briefly with de-Sitter equation of state and charged analogues of Kohler Chao interior solution as a special cases.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the reasons for the different ways to treat classical physics and modern physics and show that the different treatments are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the theories of classical physics.
Abstract: Since the advent of Modern Physics in 1905, we observe an increasing activity of “interpreting” the new theories. We mention here the theories of Special Relativity, General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. However, similar activities for the theories of Classical Physics were not known. We ask for the reasons for the different ways to treat classical physics and modern physics. The answer, that we provide here is very surprising: the different treatments are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the theories of classical physics.

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the OPERA measurement was reconciled with information from SN1987a in the context of deformed special relativity without the loss of energy through Cherenkov-like process reported by Cohen and Glashow.
Abstract: In this short note we remark that the OPERA measurement could be reconciled with information from SN1987a in the context of deformed special relativity without the loss of energy through Cherenkov-like process reported by Cohen and Glashow.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that this conclusion is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of our experimental scheme and reiterate that our results are in excellent agreement with Special Relativity and conclude that their results provide an "indication of Lorentz violation".
Abstract: In an article “Lorentz violation in high-energy ions” by S. Devasia published in this Journal [EPJ C 69, 343 (2010)], our recent Doppler shift experiments on fast ion beams are reanalyzed. Contrary to our analysis, Devasia concludes that our results provide an “indication of Lorentz violation”. We argue that this conclusion is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of our experimental scheme and reiterate that our results are in excellent agreement with Special Relativity.

Journal ArticleDOI
M. H. M. Hilo1
TL;DR: In this paper, the Generalized Special Relativity (GSR) was used to estimate masses of some elementary particles such as, neutrinos, and the results obtained may explain some physical phenomena, such as conversion from type to type when solar neutrino reaches the Earth.
Abstract: In this work the Generalized Special Relativity (GSR) is utilized to estimate masses of some elementary particles such as, neutrinos. These results are found to be in conformity with experimental and theoretical data. The results obtained may explain some physical phenomena, such as, conversion of neutrinos from type to type when solar neutrino reaches the Earth.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Lenz-Sommerfeld argument allows an ingenious and simple derivation of the Schwarzschild solution of the Einstein equations of general relativity as mentioned in this paper, which is used to construct the de Sitter line element.
Abstract: The Lenz–Sommerfeld argument allows an ingenious and simple derivation of the Schwarzschild solution of Einstein equations of general relativity. We use the same reasoning to construct the de Sitter line element.


Book ChapterDOI
24 Jun 2011

Posted Content
01 Apr 2011-viXra
TL;DR: In this article, Born's reciprocal Relativity theory in flat phase-space was extended to curved phase-spaces by introducing a complex Hermitian metric, torsion and nonmetricity.
Abstract: We explore the many novel physical consequences of Born�s reciprocal Relativity theory in flat phase-space and to generalize the theory to the curved phase-space scenario. We provide with six specific novel physical results resulting from Born�s reciprocal Relativity and which are not present in Special Relativity. These are : momentum-dependent time delay in the emission and detection of photons; energy-dependent notion of locality; superluminal behavior; relative rotation of photon trajectories due to the aberration of light; invariance of areas-cells in phase-space and modified dispersion relations. We finalize by constructing a Born reciprocal general relativity theory in curved phase-spaces which requires the introduction of a complex Hermitian metric, torsion and nonmetricity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the light pulse clock running slow by a factor √ 1 − v2/c2 is a direct consequence of the principle of relativity that all clocks moving by us the same way run slow by precisely the same factor.
Abstract: In our initial article on teaching special relativity in the first week of an introductory physics course, we used the principle of relativity and Maxwell's theory of light to derive Einstein's second postulate (that the speed of light is the same to all observers).1 In this paper we study thought experiments involving a light pulse clock moving past us with uniform motion at a speed v. Using Einstein's second postulate and the Pythagorean theorem, we see that the light pulse clock runs slow by a factor √1 − v2/c2. We then show that it is a direct consequence of the principle of relativity that all clocks moving by us the same way run slow by precisely the same factor.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article challenges the objection that both Janssen and Brown miss the essential aspect of the principles of special relativity that underwrite its interpretational success, arguing that it is not its kinematic structure but the constitutive nature of its principles it employs, by providing a coherent conceptual framework, that does the foundational work.
Abstract: Janssen argues that special relativity is preferable to Lorentzian dynamics due to its kinematic structure. Brown, along with others, raises an objection, arguing that a dynamical understanding of special relativity is explanatorily prior and hence more fundamental than the principle theory-based kinematic structure of Minkowski space-time. This article challenges this objection, arguing that both Janssen and Brown miss the essential aspect of the principles of special relativity that underwrite its interpretational success. It is not its kinematic structure but the constitutive nature of the principles it employs, by providing a coherent conceptual framework, that does the foundational work.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown how the Dixon's system of first order equations of motion for the particle with inner dipole structure together with the side Mathisson constraint follows from rather general construction of the Hamilton system developed by Weyssenhoff, Rund and Gr\"asser to describe the phase space counterpart of the evolution under the ordinary Euler-Poisson differential equation of the parameter-invariant variational problem with second derivatives.
Abstract: We show how the Dixon's system of first order equations of motion for the particle with inner dipole structure together with the side Mathisson constraint follows from rather general construction of the 'Hamilton system' developed by Weyssenhoff, Rund and Gr\"asser to describe the phase space counterpart of the evolution under the ordinary Euler-Poisson differential equation of the parameter-invariant variational problem with second derivatives. One concrete expression of the 'Hamilton function' leads to the General Relativistic form of the fourth order equation of motion known to describe the quasi-classical 'quiver' particle in Special Relativity. The corresponding Lagrange function including velocity and acceleration coincides in the flat space of Special Relativity with the one considered by Bopp in an attempt to give an approximate variational formulation of the motion of self-radiating electron, when expressed in terms of geometric quantities.


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, it is argued that special relativity tells us nothing new about the geometry of space-time, in comparison with the pre-relativistic Galileo-invariant conceptions; it simply calls something else "space-time", and this something else has different properties.
Abstract: It is widely believed that the principal difference between Einstein's special relativity and its contemporary rival Lorentz-type theories was that while the Lorentz-type theories were also capable of “explaining away” the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment and other experimental findings by means of the distortions of moving measuring-rods and moving clocks, special relativity revealed more fundamental new facts about the geometry of space-time behind these phenomena. I shall argue that special relativity tells us nothing new about the geometry of space-time, in comparison with the pre-relativistic Galileo-invariant conceptions; it simply calls something else "space-time", and this something else has different properties. All statements of special relativity about those features of reality that correspond to the original meaning of the terms "space" and "time" are identical with the corresponding traditional pre-relativistic statements. It will be also argued that special relativity and Lorentz theory are completely identical in both senses, as theories about space-time and as theories about the behavior of moving physical objects.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose to start an introductory physics course with a law of physics that applies to everything, has no known exceptions, and whose consequences are already familiar to students.
Abstract: We like to begin an introductory physics course with a law of physics that applies to everything, has no known exceptions, and whose consequences are already familiar to students. That law is the principle of relativity. By focusing on the principle of relativity itself, and a careful selection of the thought experiments, we can comfortably introduce the basic concepts of special relativity that we will use later in the course.1 This allows us to construct an introductory physics course that includes 20th‐ and 21st‐century physics as we go along, rather than shoving modern physics off the back end.2