Length standards and the twin paradox in the special theory of relativity
Carrubba, James G.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/30773
Description
Title
Length standards and the twin paradox in the special theory of relativity
Author(s)
Carrubba, James G.
Issue Date
1997
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Stone, Michael
Department of Study
Physics
Discipline
Physics
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
length standards
twin paradox
special theory of relativity
Language
en
Abstract
"In this Thesis I work towards a discussion of several resolutions of the Twin Paradox
by exploring the Lorentz transformations. I begin by asking what it means for a moving
length to contract1 a question which obviously cannot be divorced from the propagation of
length standards from one reference frame to another. I emphasize the conventionality of
definitions of length.
I go on to argue that it is the imposition of clock synchronization-the conventionality
of one-way speeds-and not the effects of acceleration which leads to the asymmetry of light
speed observed in the Sagnac effect; and further, that this asymmetry leads to apparent
paradoxes which are easily resolved when we take into account general covariance.
In subsequent discussion of light-speed conventionality, I prove that any transform which
preserves synchronization consistent with Michelson-Morley must be a similarity transform;
and use this to demonstrate that not all results which appear to depend on Special Relativity
actually do.
I conclude this Thesis with an argument that the Twin Paradox cannot be resolved
consistently if we impose simultaneously all ·'physical"" conditions which various resolutions
impose in part."
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