Related papers: On Proper Time in General Relativity
We construct a duality between several simple physical systems by showing that they are different aspects of the same quantum theory. Examples include the free relativistic massless particle and the hydrogen atom in any number of…
This paper concerns the motion of a relativistic string in a curved space-time. As a general framework, we first analyze relativistic string equations, i.e., the basic equations for the motion of a one-dimensional extended object in a…
The aim of the present article is to give an exact and correct representation of the essentially important part of modern special relativity theory that touches upon the behavior of the proper length of accelerated moving bodies.In…
Whether or not space-time is fundamentally discrete is of central importance for the development of the theory of quantum gravity. If the fundamental description of space-time is discrete, typically represented in terms of a graph or…
As humanity aspires to explore the solar system and investigate distant worlds such as the Moon, Mars, and beyond, there is a growing need to establish and broaden coordinate time references that depend on the rate of standard clocks.…
In this paper we review two symmetry axioms of special relativity and their connections to each other together with their role in some famous predictions of relativity theory, such as time dilation, length contraction, and the twin paradox.…
In this essay I begin to lay out a conceptual scheme for: (i) analysing dualities as cases of theoretical equivalence; (ii) assessing when cases of theoretical equivalence are also cases of physical equivalence. The scheme is applied to…
Space-like and time-like invariant space-time intervals are used to analyse measurements of spatial and temporal distances. The former are found to be Lorentz invariant --there is no `relativistic length contraction', whereas the latter…
The quantization of time-reparametrization invariant systems such as general relativity is plagued by an ambiguity relating to the role of time in the theory. If one parametrizes observables by the (unobservable) time, and then relies on…
Geodesics are used in a wide array of applications in cosmology and astrophysics. However, it is not a trivial task to efficiently calculate exact geodesic distances in an arbitrary spacetime. We show that in spatially flat…
In order to respect the Principle of Relativity, the analysis of the behavior of the longitudinal light clock reveals the necessity to extend the Doppler effect also to space and time. As a consequence, the bodies in inertial motion must…
In this letter we discuss the possibility of treating the spacetime by itself as a kind of deformable body for which we can define an fundamental lattice, just like atoms in crystal lattices. We show three signs pointing in that direction.…
The relativistic time is different from the Newtonian one. We revisit some of these differences in Doppler effect, twin paradox, rotation, rigid rod, and constant proper acceleration. ------- La relativeca tempo estas malsama ol la Newtona.…
When we quantize a system consisting of a single particle, the proper time $\tau $ and the rest mass $m$ are usually dealt with as parameters. In the present article, however, we introduce a new quantization rule by which these quantities…
Within the theory of General Relativity, we study the solution and range of applicability of the standard geodesic deviation equation in highly symmetric spacetimes. In the Schwarzschild spacetime, the solution is used to model satellite…
The geodesic deviation equation (GDE) describes the tendency of objects to accelerate towards or away from each other due to spacetime curvature. The GDE assumes that nearby geodesics have a small rate of separation, which is formally…
The notions of time and causality are revisited, as well as the A- and B-theory of time, in order to determine which theory of time is most compatible with relativistic spacetimes. By considering orientable spacetimes and defining a…
The concept of an objective spatial direction in special relativity is investigated and theories assuming light-speed isotropy while accepting the existence of a privileged spatial direction are classified. A natural generalization of the…
My object in the present paper is to: (1) introduce physicists to the life and work of Whitehead; (2) outline the content of his book "The Principle of Relativity"; (3) present Whitehead's basic criticism of the General Theory of Relativity…
The use of time--like geodesics to measure temporal distances is better justified than the use of space--like geodesics for a measurement of spatial distances. We give examples where a ''spatial distance'' cannot be appropriately determined…