Beltrami-de Sitter时空和de Sitter不变的狭义相对论

分析了在相对论体系中狭义相对性原理和宇宙学原理之间的关系以及Beltrami-de Sitter -陆启铿疑难.指出可以把狭义相对性原理推广到非零常曲率时空，在具有Beltrami度规 的de Sitter/反de Sitter时空中建立狭义相对论的运动学和粒子动力学. 在这类狭义相对 论中,相对于Beltrami坐标同时性，Beltrami坐标系就是惯性坐标系，相应的观测者为惯 性观测者; 对于自由粒子和光讯号, 惯性定律成立;可以定义可观测量,它们不但守恒而且还 满足推广的爱因斯坦关系.除了Beltrami坐标时同时性之外，对于共动观测, 还可以取固 有时同时性;此时，Beltrami度规成为Robertson-Walker型的度规，其3维空间是闭的,对 于平坦的偏离为宇宙学常数的量级.这表明,在这类狭义相对论中,相对性原理与“完美”宇 宙学原理之间存在内在联系,并不存在那些问题.进而,基于最新观测事实，重述了Mach原 理；指出对于Beltrami-de Sitter/反de Sitter时空，宇宙学常数恰恰给出惯性运动的起 源. 关键词： 狭义相对性原理 宇宙学原理 de Sitter不变的狭义相对论 Beltrami-de Sitter时空 同时性 Mach原理     

狭义相对论中同时性的研究

本文对狭义相对论中＂同时性＂的基础和＂尺缩钟慢＂效应的本质进行了深入探讨.＂绝对同时＂和＂绝对静止＂一样是不存在的,＂同时＂和＂静止＂都具有相对性.以此为出发点,本文对一个不能直接应用＂尺缩钟慢＂效应解决的物理问题进行了深入研究.结果表明只要找到与正在发生的事件始终保持相对静止的惯性参考系,我们就可以引入＂固有时间＂的概念,再结合＂尺缩钟慢＂效应得到相应事件相对于地面参考系的时间变化规律.     

牛顿力学中的惯性质量与狭义相对论中的惯性质量

分别详细说明了在牛顿力学中和在狭义相对论中,惯性和惯性质量的概念是如何引入的.明确地阐述了狭义相对论同牛顿力学相类似,物体(可视为质点或粒子)的固有质量(或静止质量)就是其惯性质量.通过分析,指出并强调了运动质量只是个规定,并非物体惯性的大小真的随运动发生了改变.最后还对静止质量为零、速度为光速的粒子只遵从狭义相对论而...     

推导纵向相对论多普勒效应的新方法

基于狭义相对论的洛伦兹变换和同时的相对性,本文给出了一个推导长度收缩和纵向相对论多普勒效应的新方法。该方法可更直观理解在两个惯性系中观测一个纵向光波的波长与观测沿纵向静止于某个系中杆的长度的本质区别。     

基于同时的相对性对钟慢尺缩效应的再认识

同时的相对性、钟慢效应和尺缩效应是狭义相对论时空观的主要内容.鉴于同时性是时空测量的基础,本文从同时的相对性出发详述了对钟慢效应和尺缩效应的再认识:钟慢效应是运动时钟走时率变慢和校表问题的综合表现,其实质是同时的相对性在时间量度上的直接反映;尺缩效应的实质是同时的相对性在空间量度上的反映,也是不同观测者对同一客观事实的不同时空描述.     

Conventionality of Simultaneity and the Tippe Top Paradox in Relativity

In this paper we critically examine a recently posed paradox (tippe top paradox in relativity) and its suggested resolution. A tippe top when spun on a table, tips over after a few rotations and eventually stands spinning on its stem. The ability of the top to demonstrate this charming feat depends on its geometry (all tops are not tippe tops). To a rocket-bound observer the top geometry should change because of the Lorentz contraction. This gives rise to the possibility that for a sufficiently fast observer the geometry of the top may get altered to such an extent that the top may not tip over! This is certainly paradoxical since a mere change of the observer cannot alter the fact that the top tips over on the table. In an effort to resolve the issue the authors of the paradox compare the equations of motion of the particles of the top from the perspective of the inertial frames of the rocket and the table and observe among other things that (1) the relativity of simultaneity plays an essential role in resolving the paradox and (2) the puzzle in some way is connected with one of the corrolaries of special relativity that the notion of rigidity is inconsistent with the theory. We show here that the question of the incompatibility of the notion of rigidity with special relativity has nothing to do with the current paradox and the role of the lack of synchronization of clocks in the context of the paradox is grossly over-emphasized. The conventionality of simultaneity of special relativity and the notion of the standard (Einstein) synchrony in the Galilean world have been used to throw light on some subtle issues concerning the paradox.     

The Inertial Transformations and the Relativity Principle

Our recently proposed inertial transformations of the space and time variables based on absolute simultaneity imply the existence of a single isotropic inertial reference system (“privileged system”). We show, however, that aresynchronization of clocks in all inertial systems is possible leading to a different, arbitrarily chosen,isotropic “privileged” system. Such a resynchronization does not modify any one of the empirical consequences of the theory,which is thus compatible with a formulation of the relativity principle weaker than adopted in Einstein’s theory of special relativity.     

Spatial measures in special relativity do not empirically determine simultaneity relations: A reply to Coleman and Korté

Coleman and Korté have restated and defended an earlier attempt to refute the traditional thesis of the conventionality of simultaneity within special relativity. Here we argue their attempt still fails and respond to criticisms of a paper in which we addressed the inadequacies of their earlier paper. The spatial criterion they use to argue for standard synchronization throughout an inertial frame is merely a definition and provides no demonstration that a unique distant simultaneity relation exists in nature.     

Noninertial Observers in Special Relativity and Clock Synchronization Debates

Selleri's arguments that a consideration of noninertial reference frames in the framework of special relativity identify “absolute simultaneity” as being “Nature's choice of synchronization” are considered. In the case of rectilinearly accelerating rockets, it is argued by considering two rockets which maintain a fixed proper separation rather than a fixed separation relative to the inertial frame in which they start from rest, that what seems the most “natural” choice for a simultaneity convention is problem-dependent and that Einstein's definition is the most “natural” (though still conventional) choice in this case. In addition, the supposed problems special relativity has with treating a rotating disk, namely how a pulse of light traveling around the circumference of the disk can have a local speed of light equal to c everywhere but a global speed not equal to c, and how coordinate transformations to the disk can give the Lorentz transformations in the limit of large disk radius but small angular velocity, are addressed. It is shown that the theory of Fermi frames solves both of these problems. It is also argued that the question of defining simultaneity relative to a uniformly rotating disk does not need to be resolved in order to resolve Ehrenfest's paradox.     

Simultaneity,conventialism, general covariance,and the special theory of relativity

In a recent article, De Ritis and Guccioni claimed to give an easy way of falsifying the conventionalist interpretation of the definition of simultaneity of distant events within an inertial system. For a particular closed light path, they derived a necessary condition and claimed that it could be violated by a nonstandard choice of the definition of simultaneity. It is pointed out here that (as shown by many authors) the possibility of a nonstandard definition is implicitly contained in a generally covariant formulation of the special theory of relativity, and it is shown that conditions such as the one they derived are satisfied automatically. The most general position-independent definition of simultaneity is given, and an example of a position- as well as direction-dependent definition is exhibited in an Appendix. A number of objections against the possibility of a nonstandard definition of simultaneity raised by various authors are discussed and are found to lack any physical or mathematical justification.     

David Malament and the Conventionality of Simultaneity: A Reply

In 1977, David Malament proved the valuable technical result that the simultaneity relation of standard synchrony $\epsilon=\frac{1}{2}$ with respect to an inertial observer O is uniquely definable in terms of the relation κ of causal connectibility. And he claimed that this definability undermines my own version of the conventionality of metrical simultaneity within an inertial frame. But Malament’s proof depends on the imposition of several supposedly “innocuous” constraints on any candidate for the simultaneity relation relative to O. Relying on Allen I. Janis’s 1983 challenge to one of these constraints, I argue that Malament’s technical result did not undermine my philosophical construal of the ontological status of relative metrical simultaneity. Furthermore, I show that (a) Michael Friedman’s peremptorily substantivalist critique of my conception, which Malament endorses, is ill-founded, and (b) if Malament had succeeded in discrediting my own conventionalist version of metrical simultaneity, he would likewise have invalidated Einstein’s pioneering version of it.     

时间、空间与运动——狭义相对论及其伟大科学意义

介绍狭义相对论诞生的历史背景,爱因斯坦创立狭义相对论的新思维和创造性,发现自然界两条基本原理及其建立新的相对性时空结构理论及新的运动学定律的思路历程.由此揭示和证明时空相对性结构是一切自然界定律对相对运动保持其不变性和对称性的基础,也是自然界因果关系成立的基础,最后介绍从狭义相对论得出的自然界的一系列新奇结论和定律.     

A derivation of three-dimensional inertial transformations

The derivation of the transformations between inertial frames made by Mansouri and Sexl is generalised to three dimensions for an arbitrary direction of the velocity. Assuming length contraction and time dilation to have their relativistic values, a set of transformations kinematically equivalent to special relativity is obtained. The “clock hypothesis” allows the derivation to be extended to accelerated systems. A theory of inertial transformations maintaining absolute simultaneity is shown to be the only one logically consistent with accelerated movements. Algebraic properties of these transformations are discussed. Financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences.     

Simultaneity as an Invariant Equivalence Relation

This paper deals with the concept of simultaneity in classical and relativistic physics as construed in terms of group-invariant equivalence relations. A full examination of Newton, Galilei and Poincaré invariant equivalence relations in ℝ⁴ is presented, which provides alternative proofs, additions and occasionally corrections of results in the literature, including Malament’s theorem and some of its variants. It is argued that the interpretation of simultaneity as an invariant equivalence relation, although interesting for its own sake, does not cut in the debate concerning the conventionality of simultaneity in special relativity.     

Do metric standards contract?

We address the question: By what class of force-application programs must a meter stick initially at rest in an inertial frame be moved in order to transfer it to a relatively moving inertial frame without altering the internal energy state of the structure in the process? Such stress-free transfer of a metric standard is essential for moving-axis calibration (a neglected art in established relativity theory). In order to deduce the answer by reasonings appropriate to kinematics, it proves necessary to make an extension of the relativity principle to rectilinear (irrotational) accelerated motions, and to enhance the kinematic motion group accordingly. Since the physical motion groups differ, the answers we obtain to this and to the title question differ from those of special relativity. Our alternative kinematics thus leads to discrepancies that should be measurable atO(v ²/c ²).     

A theoretical device for space and time measurements

A theoretical device, which incorporates the functions of clock, rod, nonrotating platform, and accelerometer, and whose operation depends on the properties of light rays and free particles, is defined. The device, which we call a metrosphere, is simple enough that it can be introduced at the starting point of relativity theory and versatile enough that it can serve as an aid in the development and conceptualization of the theory. Relative to an inertial frame, a moving metrosphere undergoes a Lorentz-Fitzgerald contraction and the associated clock exhibits a Lorentz-Larmor rate retardation. From this fact and the assumption that there exists one inertial frame, it is possible to generate the kinematical results of special relativity. A metrosphere provides an observer with a local frame of reference, hence it is well adapted to the needs of general relativity, allows the equivalence principle to be introduced in a straightforward manner, and permits a smooth transition from special relativity to general relativity.     

Interaction,not gravitation

Cannon and Jensen assert that data from different national time laboratories give a test of the interaction interpretation of special relativity theory. That interpretation is to be applied, however, to clocks in relative uniform motion, and therefore is not tested by the time-rate effects associated with different terrestrial locations of clocks. Those effects are described by the general theory of relativity, and arise with differences in gravitational potential and state of circular motion of the clocks. An argument by the authors against invariance of entropy clocks, on grounds of neglect of relativity of simultaneity, is also criticized.     

The relativity principle and the nature of time

Old and recent ideas concerning the nature of time are reviewed, starting from Mach's refusal of Newton's absolute time. Many experiments show that the slowing down of moving clocks is a real phenomenon. Such must then also be the so-called “twin paradox,” which owes its name to its evident incompatibility with the philosophy of relativism (not to be confused with the theory of relativity). The Lorentz reformulation of special relativity started by postulating physical effects of the ether, but accepted Einstein's clock synchronization. Only because of this Lorentz could not understand the advantages of an easily deducible different theory. As stressed by Popper, one of the main problems of the usual approach is the introduction of a superdeterministic universe. Recent results obtained by the author show that a theory is possible, based on relative time but on absolute simultaneity, in which the conceptual difficulties of relativity are avoided.     

On the inertial mass concept in special and general relativity

Inertial mass in relativity theory is discussed from a conceptual view. It is shown that though relativistic dynamics implies a particular dependence of the momentum of a free particle on its velocityin special relativity, which diverges as v approaches c, the inertial mass itself of a moving body remains constant, from any frame of observation. However, extension to general relativity does conceptually introduce variability of the inertial mass of a body, through a necessarily generally covariant field theory of inertia, when the Mach principle is incorporated into the theory of general relativity, as a theory of matter.