Direct calculation of length contraction and clock retardation (1501.05899v1)

Abstract: For simple electromagnetic models of a rod and a clock, a change of the shape of the rod and of the rate of the clock when they are set in uniform motion is calculated exactly, employing the correct equation of motion of a charged particle in the electromagnetic field and the universal boostability assumption. Thus it is demonstrated that, for the simple system considered, length contraction and clock retardation can be interpreted as dynamical cause-and-effect phenomena, and not as kinematical effects as is usually construed in conventional presentations of Special Relativity. It is argued that the perspectival relativistic change of an object (corresponding to observations from two inertial frames), while certainly an acausal effect, has a dynamical content in the sense that it is {\it tantamount to} an actual dynamical change of the object in one frame.

• The paper demonstrates that relativistic effects can be derived dynamically through electromagnetic models rather than purely kinematic assumptions.
• The study challenges the universal boostability assumption by showing that rest standards can be maintained in uniform motion with careful system design.
• By performing straightforward electromagnetic calculations, the work offers a new framework for teaching and researching special relativity.

An Examination of the Dynamical Interpretation of Relativistic Phenomena

The paper entitled "Direct calculation of length contraction and clock retardation" by D.V. Redžić explores an alternative interpretation of the relativistic effects of length contraction and clock retardation. These phenomena, traditionally regarded as kinematical consequences of Einstein's Special Relativity, are reinterpreted by Redžić through a dynamical lens, using electromagnetic models. The primary thesis is that these effects are dynamic, cause-and-effect phenomena rather than mere kinematical artifacts.

Key Contributions

1. Universal Boostability Assumption: The work revisits the "universal boostability assumption," emphasizing its importance in establishing a consistent framework for evaluating the physical characteristics of rods and clocks in motion. It argues against Einstein's stronger assumption that measuring devices remain completely unchanged under motion. Redžić stresses that it is possible to maintain rest length and time standards under uniform motion, provided the constitution of the objects is carefully managed.
2. Electromagnetic Models: Employing simple electromagnetic systems as models, such as a system of charges for rods and clocks, Redžić illustrates how length contraction and clock retardation emerge naturally as results of Maxwell's equations and Lorentz force expressions. The results challenge existing interpretations by demonstrating that these effects can be linked to changes in equilibrium conditions caused by different configurations of forces acting on moving systems.
3. Perspectival Change: The paper disputes the purely kinematic nature of the perspectival change posited by traditional special relativity. Redžić contends that when an object is analyzed from different inertial frames, there is an intrinsic dynamical content tied to these changes. Consequently, it offers a perspective wherein the observed changes in length and clock rates have correlating dynamical causes based on the interaction of the system with its inertial update.
4. Demonstrable Calculations: By providing straightforward electromagnetic calculations, the paper sheds light on how actual physical systems behave under relativistic conditions. The implication is a shift towards understanding developing states of objects through dynamic, rather than abstract, theoretical models. This offers students and researchers an alternative perspective for interpreting physical phenomena in an educational setting.

Implications and Future Directions

The implications of this reinterpretation are significant. Firstly, it provides a new narrative for educators seeking to deepen understanding of special relativity by introducing electromagnetically grounded dynamic models. Furthermore, it suggests that rekindling the debate on the kinematical versus dynamical nature of relativistic effects could lead to a refined understanding of these concepts.

Future research might examine the broader application of these dynamical interpretations across more complex relativistic systems. Investigating other candidates for experimental verification could bolster evidence for this interpretation. Additionally, extending this work to quantum field systems might offer new insights, potentially harmonizing macroscopic relativity with quantum mechanics.

This research emphasizes a continued exploration of dynamical interpretations, inviting a re-evaluation of standard teachings related to the relativistic contraction of lengths and retardation of clocks. It encourages the scientific community to explore the unconsidered dynamical aspects behind apparent acausal phenomena of observation, opening dialogue on modern interpretations of fundamental physics laws.