Lorentz and Poincar Invariance: 100 Years of RelativityThis collection of papers provides a broad view of the development of Lorentz and Poincar(r) invariance and spacetime symmetry throughout the past 100 years. The issues explored in these papers include: (1) formulations of relativity theories in which the speed of light is not a universal constant but which are consistent with the four-dimensional symmetry of the Lorentz and Poincar(r) groups and with experimental results, (2) analyses and discussions by Reichenbach concerning the concepts of simultaneity and physical time from a philosophical point of view, and (3) results achieved by the union of the relativity and quantum theories, marking the beginnings of quantum electrodynamics and relativistic quantum mechanics. Ten of the fundamental experiments testing special relativity are also discussed, showing that they actually support a four-dimensional spacetime based on broad Lorentz and Poincar(r) invariance which is more general than and includes the special theory of relativity. The generalization of the concepts of simultaneity, physical time and the nature of the speed of light within a four-dimensional spacetime framework leads to the conclusion that the symmetries embodied by the special theory of relativity can be realized using only a single postulate OCo the principle of relativity for physical laws. Contents: Theoretical Implications of Lorentz and Poincar(r) Invariance: The Dawn of Lorentz and Poincar(r) Invariance (1887OCo1905): Inquiries Regarding the Constancy of the Speed of Light (1908-1910); The Splendid Union of Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics (1927OCo1949); The Isotropy of the Speed of Light c: A Convenient Assumption (1963OCo1995); The Logically Simplest Theory of Relativity and Its 4-Dimensional Symmetry (1990OCo1994); Experiments for Lorentz and Poincar(r) Invariance: The Fizeau Experiment; The WilsonOCoWilson Experiment; The Observation of the Muon Lifetime Dilation; The MassOCoVelocity Relation Experiment; The Thomas Precession Experiment; and other papers. Readership: Upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, researchers and academics in mathematical physics and theoretical physics." |
Contents
The Ether and the Earths Atmosphere | 25 |
Approximation Carried to | 39 |
Special Relativity and its 4Dimensional Symmetry 19041908 | 55 |
The Theory of Relativity and Science Extract | 162 |
Inquiries Regarding the Constancy of the Speed of Light | 193 |
Extended Relativity and its 4Dimensional Symmetry 19281997 | 217 |
The Splendid Union of Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics | 273 |
The Quantum Theory of the Electron | 297 |
The Lorentz and Poincaré Groups and Their Implications 1939 | 337 |
Lorentz Group in Feynmans World | 351 |
A Convenient Assumption | 377 |
Common Relativity and its 4Dimensional Symmetry 19761983 | 397 |
Is There an Aether? | 438 |
The New Ether | 453 |
The Logically Simplest Theory of Relativity | 469 |
A Physical Theory Based Solely on the First Postulate of Relativity | 494 |
Other editions - View all
Lorentz and Poincaré Invariance: 100 Years of Relativity Jong-Ping Hsu,Yuan-Zhong Zhang Limited preview - 2001 |
Lorentz and Poincar Invariance: 100 Years of Relativity Jong-Ping Hsu,Yuanzhong Zhang Limited preview - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
4-dimensional symmetry acceleration atom axes axis charge clock systems common consider coordinate corresponding covariant defined definition denote derived direction discussed Doppler Einstein electric electrodynamics electromagnetic electron energy ether experiment experimental extended relativity Feynman field force formula four-dimensional symmetry four-vector frame F given Hamiltonian inertial frames interaction light signal little group Lorentz and Poincaré Lorentz group Lorentz transformation magnetic mass mathematical matrix element measured Michelson-Morley experiment momentum motion N₂ observed obtained one-way speed paper parameters particle photon Phys physical laws Poincaré groups Poincaré invariance postulate principle of relativity propagation q-numbers quantities quantum mechanics quarks reference Reichenbach's relation relativistic rest result rotation simultaneity space space-time special relativity speed of light stationary system synchronization t₁ taiji relativity theory of relativity tion two-way speed universal constant v²/c² vacuum variables vector velocity of light Voigt wave equation wave function