Related papers: A sign error in the Minkowski space-time plot and …
Minkowski space serves as a framework for the theoretical constructions that deal with manifestations of relativistic effects in physical phenomena. But neither Minkowski himself nor the subsequent developers of the relativity theory have…
Translational invariance requires that physical predictions are independent of the choice of spatial coordinate system used. The time dilatation effect of special relativity is shown to manifestly respect this invariance. Consideration of…
We investigate the limitations of length measurements by accelerated observers in Minkowski spacetime brought about via the hypothesis of locality, namely, the assumption that an accelerated observer at each instant is equivalent to an…
We give a systematic and thorough study of geometric notions and results connected to Minkowski's measure of symmetry and the extension of the well-known Minkowski functional to arbitrary, not necessarily symmetric convex bodies K on any…
It is demonstrated that the measured spatial separation of two objects, at rest in some inertial frame, is invariant under space-time transformations. This result holds in both Galilean and Special Relativity. A corollary is that there are…
A detailed re-examination of the seminal paper on special relativity, taking into account recent work on the physical interpretation of the space-time Lorentz transformation as well as the modern understanding of classical elecromagnetism…
The conventional discussion of the observed distortions of space and time in Special Relativity (the Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction and Time Dilatation) is extended by considering observations, from a stationary frame, of : (i) objects…
In Mathematics is common to make a mistake and therefore a false conclusion arises. In each case it is important to recognize the mistake in order to avoid a similar one in the future. Geometric figures provide decisive help in order to…
We survey elementary results in Minkowski spaces (i.e. finite dimensional Banach spaces) that deserve to be collected together, and give simple proofs for some of them. We place special emphasis on planar results. Many of these results have…
Using only the principle of relativity and Euclidean geometry we show in this pedagogical article that the square of proper time or length in a two-dimensional spacetime diagram is proportional to the Euclidean area of the corresponding…
The Sagnac effect is a time or phase shift observed between two beams of light traveling in opposite directions in a rotating interferometer. We show that the standard description of this effect within the framework of general relativity…
The Lorentzian length of a timelike curve connecting both endpoints of a classical computation is a function of the path taken through Minkowski spacetime. The associated runtime difference is due to time-dilation: the phenomenon whereby an…
Several recent studies have concerned the faith of classical symmetries in quantum space-time. In particular, it appears likely that quantum (discretized, noncommutative,...) versions of Minkowski space-time would not enjoy the classical…
Visual perception of Fitzgerald-Lorentz contraction is known to be theoretically impossible, and this can be demonstrated pedagogically with the aid of simple spacetime diagrams of one spatial dimension. Such diagrams also demonstrate,…
The concept of rigid reference frame and of constricted spatial metric, given in the previous work [\emph{Class. Quantum Grav.} {\bf 21}, 3067,(2004)] are here applied to some specific space-times: In particular, the rigid rotating disc…
Lecture at BOSS2011 on relativistic metrology, on clock synchronization, relativistic dynamics and non-inertial frames in Minkowski spacetime, on relativistic atomic physics, on ADM canonical tetrad gravity in asymptotically Minkowskian…
A careful study is made of the operational meaning of the time symbols appearing in the space-time Lorentz transformation. Four distinct symbols, with different physical meanings, are needed to describe reciprocal measurements involving…
The special theory of relativity has fundamentally changed our views of space and time. The relativity of simultaneity in particular, and the theory of relativity as a whole, still presents significant difficulty for beginners in the…
Time-asymmetric spacetime structures, in particular those representing black holes and the expansion of the universe, are intimately related to other arrows of time, such as the second law and the retardation of radiation. The nature of the…
Following a previous idea, a curved geometry is proposed as being valid in accelerated systems, in Minkowski space. The curvature turns out to be generated by the source of the accelerated motion. An exponential factor depending on $\rho$…