Karlsruhe 2011 – scientific programme

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GR: Fachverband Gravitation und Relativitätstheorie

GR 19: Poster (permanent)

GR 19.2: Poster

Monday, March 28, 2011, 14:00–14:00, 20.40: 101

Is the Speed of Light 'c' a True Constant? — •Albrecht Giese — Taxusweg 15, 22605 Hamburg

There are two ways of explaining and formalizing relativity:

A.) The original approach, presented by O. Heaviside and H.A. Lorentz, explains relativistic contraction by means of the well understood behaviour of fields. - This physics-based approach could not be finalized at the time, due to a lack of knowledge about elementary particles.

B.) The geometric method of Einstein, who redefined the formal treatment of space and time.

The approach referred to under A.), currently called the "Neo-Lorentzian" interpretation of relativity, assumes a variable speed of light 'c', Euclidean space and Galilean time. Only the *measured* value of 'c' is constant. - Using our present knowledge of particle physics, this approach is able to fully explain relativity.

The method of Einstein, B.), assumes a truly constant 'c' and therefore has to accept the curvature of space-time in the general case.

Both approaches agree with experimental findings for relativity (SR as well as GR). The Neo-Lorentzian way, however, is considerably easier to understand and to handle, as well as solving additional problems such as inflation, quantum gravity, dark matter, and dark energy.

For further information: www.ag-physics.org