Search

We reanalyze some well-known experimental results within the framework of a new Lorentz-invariant dynamics (for particles and fields) based solely on the first postulate of special relativity. This theory differs from the conventional relativistic dynamics in a number of fundamental ways. However, new four-dimensional transformations still form the Lorentz group and the theory is consistent with all previously performed experiments.

The power of the four-dimensional symmetry of taiji relativity is demonstrated through an analysis of Edwards’ transformation based on the weaker postulate that only the two-way speed of light is a universal constant. His transformation, involving Reichenbach’s time, is shown to be inconsistent with Lorentz-group properties and the relativistic energy-momentum expression for particles. However, using the symmetry of taiji relativity as a guiding principle, we can obtain a new four-dimensional transformation which does not have these difficulties. We show that Reichenbach’s concept of time is compatible with the four-dimensional symmetry of physical laws. No known experiments can distinguish physical laws in this four-dimensional formalism («extended relativity») from those in special relativity.

Using the first postulate of relativity only, we develop a general theory, termed taiji relativity, which has four-dimensional symmetry and is consistent with experiments. Within this framework, the speed of light is no longer a universal constant. Thus, quantum electrodynamics has only two fundamental constants, ē and J, which are the analogues of e and h. Some new results are implied.

The Dawn of Gravitation: # The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (I Newton) # On the Dynamics of the Electron (H Poincare) # Einstein's Deepest Insight and Its Early Impacts: # Outline of a Generalized Theory of Relativity and of a Theory of Gravitation (A Einstein & M Grossmann) # The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity (A Einstein) # On a Generalization of the Concept of Riemann Curvature and Spaces with Torsion (E Cartan) # The Scalar-Tensor Theory of Gravity: # Formation of the Stars and Development of the Universe (P Jordan) # Yang-Mills' Deepest Insight and Its Relation to Gravity: # Conservation of Isotopic Spin and Isotopic Gauge Invariance (C N Yang & R L Mills) # Conservation of Heavy Particles and Generalized Gauge Transformations (T D Lee & C N Yang) # Invariant Theoretical Interpretation of Interaction (R Utiyama) # Accelerated Frames: Generalizing the Lorentz Transformations: # On Homogeneous Gravitational Fields in the General Theory of Relativity and the Clock Paradox (C Moller) # The Clock Paradox in the Relativity Theory (T Y Wu & Y C Lee) # Four-dimensional Symmetry of Taiji Relativity and Coordinate Transformations Based on a Weaker Postulate for the Speed of Light (J P Hsu & L Hsu) # Quantum Gravity and 'Ghosts': # Quantum Theory of Gravitation (R P Feynman) # Quantum Theory of Gravity, III Applications of the Covariant Theory (B S DeWitt) # Feynman Diagram for the Yang-Mills Field (L D Faddeev & V N Popov) # Missed Opportunities (F J Dyson) # Gauge Theories of Gravity: # Extended Translation Invariance and Associated Gauge Fields (K Hayashi & T Nakano) # Gravitational Field as a Generalized Gauge Field (R Utiyama & T Fukuyama) # Alternate Approaches to Gravity: Roads Less Traveled By: # Fixation of Coordinates in the Hamiltonian Theory of Gravitation (P A M Dirac) # New General Relativity (K Hayashi & T Shirafuji) # Relativistic Theory of Gravitation (A A Logunov & M A Mestvirishvili) # Yang-Mills Gravity: A Union of Einstein-Grossmann Metric with Yang-Mills Tensor Fields in Flat Spacetime with Translation Symmetry (J P Hsu) # Experimental Tests of Gravitational Theories: # Empirical Foundations of the Relativistic Gravity (W T Ni) # Binary Pulsars and Relativistic Gravity (J H Taylor, Jr.) # Other Perspectives: # Concept of Nonintegrable Phase Factors and Global Formulation of Gauge Fields (T T Wu & C N Yang) # Gauge Theory: Historical Origins and Some Recent Developments (L O'Raifeartaigh & N Straumann) # The Cosmological Constant and Dark Energy (P J E Peebles & B Ratra) # and other papers

Theoretical implications of Lorentz and Poincare invariance: the dawn of Lorentz and Poincare invariance (1887-1905) inquiries regarding the constancy of the speed of light (1908-1910) the splendid union of special relativity and quantum mechanics (1927-1949) the isotropy of the speed of light c: a convenient assumption (1963-1995) the logically simplest theory of relativity and its four-dimensional symmetry (1990-1994). Experiments for Lorentz and Poincare invariance: the Fizeau experiment the Wilson-Wilson experiment the observation of the Muon Lifetime Dilation the mass-velocity relation experiment the Thomas Precession experiment. (Part contents)

A new theory of four-dimensional symmetry introduced by Hsu has been criticized as logically inconsistent. We answer the criticisms that have been raised and show that in fact this theory is not logically inconsistent.

We propose a new picture of nature in which there are only two fundamental universal constantse ē (≡e/c) andh(≡ħ/c). Our theory is developed within the framework of a new four-dimensional symmetry which is constructed on the basis of the Poincare-Einstein principle of relativity for the laws of physics and the Newtonian concept of time. We obtain a new space-light transformation law, a velocity-addition law, and so on. In this symmetry scheme, the speed of light is constant and is completely relative. The new theory is logically self-consistent, and it moreover is in agreement with all previously established experimental facts, such as the “lifetime dilatation” of unstable particles, the Michelson-Morley experiment, etc. There is a difference relative to the usual theory, though, in that our theory predicts a new law for the Dopplerfrequency shift, which can be tested experimentally by measuring the second-order frequency shift.

We explore the mathematical structure and the physical implications of a general four-dimensional symmetry framework which is consistent with the Poincare—Einstein principle of relativity for physical laws and with experiments. In particular, we discuss a four-dimensional framework in which all observers in different frames use one and the same grid of clocks. The general framework includes special relativity and a recently proposed new four-dimensional symmetry with a nonuniversal light speed as two special simple cases. The connection between the properties of light propagation and the convention concerning clock systems is also discussed, and is seen to be nonunique within the four-dimensional framework.