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GR: Fachverband Gravitation und Relativitätstheorie

GR 12: Alternative Theories

GR 12.2: Talk

Thursday, March 3, 2016, 14:05–14:25, VMP6 HS C

Relativity: The unneeded phenomenon of space-time — •Albrecht Giese — Taxusweg 15, 22605 Hamburg

Our understanding of the theory of relativity is closely tied to the view that Einstein had to change our understanding of space and time. In textbooks we learn that this altered understanding is an inevitable condition for handling relativistic phenomena.

It is essential to understand that Einstein's assumption of space-time is a consequence of his intention to develop SR without assuming a fixed frame of reference (ether). However, Hendrik Lorentz showed early on that the Michelson Morley experiment is not in conflict with the presence of an ether. This was also accepted by Einstein, however it was not in agreement with Einstein's own intuitions.

Regarding GR, Einstein's assumption of a curved 4-dimensional space-time resulted from his strict aim to avoid a fixed frame of reference with respect to acceleration.

However, if we follow the original way in which Lorentz related relativistic phenomena to known physical processes, then the acceptance of a fixed frame of reference with respect to linear motion and also to accelerated motion leads to an interpretation of relativity that is free of paradoxes and much easier to operate. It leaves space and time unaltered and gives additional insights into other physical phenomena.

For further info: www.ag-physics.org .