Lorentz Transformation as a Galilei Transformation with Physical Length and Time Contractions

  • H. E. Wilhelm*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Lorentz transformations between the space-time coordinates of a point in two inertial frames with arbitrary relative velocity, are reformulated as Galilei transformations with length and time contractions, by introducing the ether rest frame (in which light signals propagate isotropically with the vacuum speed of light). The generalized Galilei transformations for the (longitudinal) space coordinates (x1,2) and the time variables (t1,2) of a point in two inertial frames Σ1,2 are not only of analogous structure, but have remarkable symmetry properties, too. The appearing length and time contractions are absolute effects in the sense of Lorentz-Fitzgerald, i.e., a rod has its largest length and a clock its fastest rate when at rest in the ether frame Σ 0. Thus, an analytical reformulation and a physical interpretation of the Lorentz transformations within Galilean relativity physics is achieved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)859-864
Number of pages6
JournalZeitschrift fur Naturforschung - Section A Journal of Physical Sciences
Volume43
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mathematical Physics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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