Virtually nothing on the pages of Relativity Trail will be found anywhere else. Original and unique content in Relativity Trail which sets it apart from the works of Poincare, Lorentz and Einstein includes, in order of appearance: Postulates, observations and assumptions The time-keeping differential between reunited clocks, which necessarily favors one party over the other, serves as proof of an absolute (though experimentally indiscernible) frame of reference. i.e. there is a "truth of the matter". Spacetime is shown to be dependent on Einstein's clock synchronization method, and is properly relegated to a geometrical construct which comes up short as a physical reality. The ramifications of Einstein's two versions of his second postulate are analyzed and explained. It is shown that the elimination of a universal (absolute) frame of reference leaves us with a circular definition of inertial frame, and with an unresolvable twin paradox of one's own making. Mach's Principle is shown to apply to a hierarchy of inertial motion. Actual constancy of light speed is given a basis in the interchangeability of matter and energy. Clock functioning is defined. A basis is provided for the equivalence of clock functioning and biological aging. The Galilean Principle of Relativity is properly considered to be inextricably bound with synchronization of motion along different axes. Length contraction is given a Machian basis and is formally derived. Results Symmetry of measuring across inertial frames is diagrammed in absolute terms. Constancy of light speed measure, independent of inertial frame, is diagrammed in absolute terms. The twin paradox is trivially dispensed with. The indeterminacy of one's motion relative to the universe is demonstrated. Einstein's clock synchronization is diagrammed in absolute terms. Einstein's mu and lambda are explained in absolute terms. The symmetrical measure of inelastic collisions across inertial frames, with transfer of mass, is diagrammed in absolute terms. E = mc^2 is derived from an absolute basis. Also, importantly Complexity gives rise to the meaningfulness of inertial properties. "Simple universe" twin paradoxes are debunked. And, of course, much more. ------- Phrases/terminologies originated in Relativity Trail include: Time differential between reunited clocks Inertial properties Light serves as the messenger of moments. Hierarchy of clock rates Heirarchy of inertial motion From the perspective of light, time and distance are the same thing. From light's perspective, it is everywhere at once. ------ From page 86 of Relativity Trail: Let's examine Einstein's assignment of tA - tB = tB - t'A in the context of the universal frame. Consider the following situation in the context of the universal frame: Clock B is in the positive direction of the AB motion from clock A, the AB system has an absolute velocity of .6, and A and B have a rest spatial separation of 1 ls (.8 contracted) as seen against the universal reference frame. Einstein's definition of what constitutes a synchronization of those two clocks dictates that B's reading will be .6 second less than A's reading as seen against the universal frame, .6 being the velocity of AB. (1) Keep in mind that Einstein had no awareness of this superimposition onto the universal frame, and thus no awareness of these numerical values. (2) Using this convention (the assignment of tA - tB = tB - t'A) amounts to a disregard of an analytical incorporation of an absolute frame of reference. It is in keeping with Einstein's notion of simultaneity, wherein he elevates a direct observation of distant events to a pseudo-reality of simultaneity, or lack thereof, for a given observer. 1. See the appendix for my (very long) formal derivation of this. 2. This superimposition diagram, along with any concept associated with it, is unique to Relativity Trail. You won't find it elsewhere. © 2008 Roger Luebeck |