Published May 31, 2011 | Version v1
Journal article

A rigorous minimum-assumption derivation of the Lorentz transformation

Creators

Description

The available derivations of the Lorentz transformation (LT) are of questionable validity because they introduce some assumptions in addition to Einstein's two fundamental postulates or, even if they do not do so, are highly abstract and abstruse (as is the case with two or three 'exact' derivations). The rigorous LT derivation proposed in this paper has only the constant speed of light and two thought experiments as its underlying assumptions. With the constant speed of light used to prove all the necessary assumptions, no additional assumptions are needed. Our systematic approach explains in a convincing way why stress is irrelevant to length contraction. (methodological notes)

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.3367/UFNe.0181.201105g.0553

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physics Uspekhi
Journal Volume
54
Journal Issue
5
Journal Page Range
p. 529-532
ISSN
1063-7869

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
43028897
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
CONTRACTION; LORENTZ TRANSFORMATIONS; STRESSES; VELOCITY
Descriptors DEC
TRANSFORMATIONS