Showing papers on "Test theories of special relativity published in 2000"

Time and the Metaphysics of Relativity

Abstract: Preface. 1. The Historical Background of Special Relativity. 2. Einstein's Special Theory. 3. Time Dilation and Length Contraction. 4. Empirical Confirmation of Special Relativity. 5. Two Relativistic Interpretations. 6. The Classical Concept of Time. 7. The Positivistic Foundations of Relativity Theory. 8. The Elimination of Absolute Time. 9. Absolute Time and Relativistic Time. 10. God, Time, and Relativity. 11. Conclusion. Bibliography. Subject Index. Proper Name Index.

The birth of special relativity. "One more essay on the subject"

Abstract: Special relativity was discovered at the eve of the century, but finds its roots in the 19th century efforts to understand the optics and electromagnetism of moving bodies. These roots are reviewed in Parts 1 and 2, the latter being specially devoted to the works of Lorentz and of Poincare up to 1904. Part 3 contains a detailed comparison of the works of Einstein and of Poincare in 1905. It is shown that both authors succeeded in constructing a coherent and fully relativistic theory, although their ideas about the ether were radically different. In Part 4, the question of the respective merits of the three potential fathers of special relativity (i.e. Lorentz, Poincare, Einstein) is discussed again, at the light of the preceding analysis and of the "post-1905" developments of the theory.

Dynamics and Relativity

Abstract: Special relativity suffers from the myth that it is difficult In order to overcome this barrier Dynamics and relativity presents an integrated treatment of classical mechanics and special relativity, by treating classical mechanics as Galilean relativity This gives students the freedom to formulate a particular problem in one frame of reference and solve it in another, where it takes a simpler form This strategy, which is central to special relativity, is applied to problems in classical mechanics, thus preparing the tools and thought patterns for a treatment of special relativity

Special Relativity with Acceleration

Abstract: (2000). Special Relativity with Acceleration. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 107, No. 3, pp. 219-237.

Einstein's Relativity and Beyond: New Symmetry Approaches

Abstract: The purposes of this book are (1) to explore and expound relativity physics and four-dimensional symmetry from the logically simplest viewpoint by making one single postulate instead of two; and (2) to indicate the simplest generalization of the Lorentz transformation in order to cope with frames with constant linear accelerations. The fundamentally new ideas of the first purpose are developed on the basis of the term paper of a Harvard physics undergraduate. They lead to an unexpected affirmative answer to the long-standing question of whether it is possible to construct a relativity theory without postulating the constancy of the speed of light and retaining only the first postulate of special relativity. This question was discussed in the early years following the discovery of special relativity by many physicists, including Ritz, Tolman, Kunz, Comstock and Pauli, all of whom obtained negative answers. Furthermore, the new theory of relativity indicates the truly universal and fundamental constants in physics, and provides a broad view of relativistic physics beyond special relativity. It substantiates the view and sheds light on the understanding that the four-dimensional symmetry framework can accommodate many different concepts of physical time, including common time and Reichenbach's general concept of time. This logically simplest viewpoint of relativity allows a natural extension of the physics of particles and fields from inertial frames to noninertial frames in which the speed of light is not constant. New predictions in physics resulting from this new viewpoint are discussed. The book is based on papers by the author and his collaborators in Physics Letters A, Nuovo Cimento B, and Physical Review A and D.

Neutrino tests of general and special relativity

Abstract: We review the status of testing the principle of equivalence and Lorentz invariance from atmospheric and solar neutrino experiments.

Poincaré's Contributions to Relativistic Dynamics

Abstract: In this paper I concentrate on the dynamic aspects of the special theory of relativity (in the non-Minkowski formalism), and not on the kinematic part of the story as is usually done. Following up the dynamic story leads to a new point of view as to Poincare's important role in the development of special relativity. Much of Poincare's dynamic work did not enter into Einstein's 1905 theory, since Einstein was mainly occupied with kinematics. However, the dynamic part is most fundamental in the development of the special theory of relativity after 1905. In this paper I consider the main developments of relativistic dynamics in which I demonstrate that much response to Poincare's dynamic research can be found. I argue that Poincare's dynamic work assisted in departing from Einstein's electrodynamic theory towards relativistic dynamics (independent of electrodynamics).

General relativity as a (constarined) Yang-Mills's theory

Abstract: General Relativity as a (constrained) Yang-Mills's theory. Abstract We show that General Relativity (GR) with cosmological constant can be formulated as a rather simple constrained SO(D + 1)-Yang-Mills (YM) theory. Furthermore, the spin connections of the Cartan-Einstein formulation for GR appear as solutions of a genuine SO(D)-YM. This work sets out to enforce the close connection between YM theories and GR by means of a new construction.

Proposal for a test of the relativity principle by using Mössbauer synchrotron radiation

Abstract: The present paper represents the simplest proof that the general relativity principle does not come to the particular relativity principle in case of inertial motion in an empty space It admits an existence of phenomena, where a violation of the particular relativity principle occurs within the scope of the general relativity principle Under modern development of experimental techniques, a search of such hypothetical phenomena can be made only by means of the Mossbauer effect A scheme of possible experiment has been proposed

Maxwell's equations in media and special relativity

Abstract: We consider the case of a plane electromagnetic wave travelling through a medium and point out that an observer moving with the wave would note some apparently curious properties.

Einstein and the special theory of relativity

Abstract: For centuries, physics was dominated by Newton's ideas about space, time and mechanics. These ideas led to a very successful description of the solar system. In the 1800s the theory of electromagnetism came into being with the work of Faraday, Maxwell and others. This theory predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves which move at a speed c, which is a fundamental constant of nature. This was not easy to understand using Newtonian ideas. From the resulting tension between Newtonian physics and electromagnetic theory was born the ‘Special Theory of Relativity’.

Two exact derivations of the mass/energy relationship, E=mc^2

Abstract: The E=mc^2 relationship is not unique to special relativity. Einstein published one exact derivation from special relativity and two approximate derivations that used general extensions to Newtonian mechanics, and an exact derivation is also possible if we use a "first-order" Doppler equation instead of special relativity's "relativistic Doppler" formula. We present two sample derivations based on different non-transverse Doppler relationships, and briefly look at the two diverging systems of physics that result.

Problems in Quantum General Relativity and Gravitation

Abstract: From the early sixties a long-term scientific wave was initiated in the communities of the physical and mathematical disciplines It was described very well by the title of the survey book (1993) prepared for the 65th birthday of D Sciama: “The Renaissance of General Relativity and Cosmology” [1] Six years later one can see that in this area experimental and theoretical issues are still growing in quantity and quality and cross-fertilizing in a measure conceivable only in a very fortunate period of the evolution of a science

Einstein's Brainchild: Relativity Made Relatively Easy!

Abstract: Einstein as a Youth The Michelson-Morley Experiment Special Relativity Four-Dimensional Space-Time and Time Travel General Relativity Gravity and Curved Space-Time Testing the Theory Black Holes and Other Exotic Objects To the Ends of the Universe Searching for the Elusive Quantum Quandary Epilogue Index

String Theory and General Relativity

Abstract: We give a historical review of some aspects of string theory relevant to our present understanding of General Relativity and connected with Einstein’s unification program.

Special Relativity Physics Reinterpreted

Abstract: A phenomenological explanation is presented for the physics of aberration, which is in contrast with special relativity physics. The effect of relativity is identified with an effect due to the velocity of observation being affected by the velocity of a moving particle. In contrast with the currently accepted view, it is demonstrated that the classical concepts of time and simultaneity are natural for describing relativistic phenomena.