absolute rest
m...@nsp.com
sci.physics.relativity, which is the appropriate newsgroup for
discussion of this topic. -TB]
ABOUT ABSOLUTE REST
..A space in which there is no place that can be marked by any physical means
whatsoever, is, at any rate, a very subtle and abstract idea...
(Max Born, in Einstein Theory of Relativity, Dover,1965).
There is no physical experiment through which one can decide if a body is
moving uniformly or if it is at rest.
(Everybody says this).
I have thought about absolute rest in space, and I ask you to consider the
following experiment, based on the figure below:
A B C
----x-----------------------x-------------------------x-----> X axis
R2 R1
IN THIS EXPERIMENT SUPPOSE THAT:
ABC is a rigid bar, laying on the X axis, and distance AB=distance BC;
ABC bar can only move along the X axis (to the left or to the right);
A, B and C are bodies fixed to the rigid bar;
Bodies A and C are equal, and each one of them has an apparatus capable of
sending a pulse of light to body B, when commanded by the observer, which is
stationed in body B. The observer can command either body A or body C to send
the pulses to B any time he wants. In other words, pulses have not to be sent
simultaneously from A and C to B;
Body B has three apparatus. Through the first apparatus the observer can
command A or C to send pulses toward B. The second apparatus can register the
instants Ta or Tc when pulses comming from A or C arrive at B and, also,
instants Tao and Tco when the pulses of light leave A or C toward body B.
This second apparatus is also a computer which can make calculations with
Tao, Tco, Ta and Tc, and, additionally, this apparatus can command the
ignition of retro-rockets R1 and R2. The third apparatus is an
accelerometer.
Commands given by the observer (stayed in B) in order to A or C to send pulses
of light toward B, can be given by electric signals which travel through
cables linking B and A, and B and C. Those signals must travel at the same
and constant velocity, so that the time they take to go from B to A, or from
B to C, are equal, considering that distance AB=BC;
Retro-rockets R1 or R2, when ignited, have sufficient power to decelerate or
accelerate the bar ABC in its movement along the X axis. Indeed, R1, while
ignited, will accelerate the bar to the left, or will decelerate it, if it is
moving to the right. R2, while ignited, will accelerate the bar to the right,
or wil decelerate it, if it is moving to the left;
The computer is programmed to, by conveniently igniting retro-rockets R1 and
R2, change the velocity of the bar at the will of the observer. For example,
the computer can reduce or increase de velocity of the bar, and,
consequently, it can change the direction of this velocity (along the X
axis}. Also the computer, with the help of the accelerometer, can maintain
this velocity constant along time, i.e., it can keep the bar moving uniformly
along the X axis. (The use of the accelerometer is not absolutely necessary
because the computer can be programmed, by using measurements of (Ta-Tao), or
of (Tc-Tco), and conveniently igniting R1 and/or R2, to keep the bar moving
uniformly. This can easily be verified).
N0W WE WILL DEFINE THE EXPERIMENT ITSELF AS FOLLOWS:
We must now suppose that bar ABC is in space, and that the observer managed to
keep it moving uniformly along the X axis. Then the experiment proceeds
accordingly to the following steps:
1. The observer commands body C to send a pulse of light to body B. The
computer reads Tco and Tc, and calculates (Tc-Tco)= TC;
2. The observer then commands body A to send a pulse to body B. The computer
reads Tao and Ta, and calculates (Ta-Tao)= TA.
3. Having TA and TC, the observer will compare them:
4. If TC > TA, it is clear that the bar is uniformly moving to the left;
5. If TC < TA, it is clear that the bar is uniformly moving to the right.
6. The observer, at this stage of the experiment, and depending of the values
of TA and TC, knows, not only that the bar (and himself) is moving uniformly
along the X axis, but, also, he knows if the bar is moving to the left or to
the right.
7. Suppose now that the observer manages de computer (and consequently the
retro-rockets) in order to achieve and keep a stage of movement of the bar
such that, successive sets of measurements of Tao, Ta, Tc and Tco will always
produce (Tc-Tco)=(Ta-Tao), or, what is the same, TA = TC, for those
successive sets of measurements.
8. In this case (while TA = TC), what may the observer conclude about the
movement of the bar ?
9. As he gets TA = TC, he may consider:
9.1 – The bar is not moving to the left, because for this to happen he should
had found TC>TA, and that was not the case;
9.2 – The bar, also, is not moving to the right, because for this to happen he
should had found TC < TA, and that, too, was not the case;
9.3 – Consequently, if the bar is not moving to the right, neither to the
left, he only may conclude that the bar is not moving.
FINAL CONCLUSIONS OF THE EXPERIMENT:
A.—This experiment can definetly say if a body is moving uniformly or if it is
at rest in space;
B.-While TA=TC, the bar is clearly not moving and, consequently, it only can
be, and is, in absolute rest in space. In other words, throug this experiment
one can achieve an absolute frame of reference.
I am not saying that the laws of Physics are not the same for both situations
(body at rest and body moving uniformly). But I understand that, considering
the conclusions of this experiment, two largely accepted principles of
Physics, can stand no more.
I do not have sufficient knowledge to think about how those conclusions will
affect the Special Theory of Relativity. Can you help in this point ? (Of
course, if you agree with the above written).
Note 1: If one wants to make this experiment in 3D space, he simply can use 3
bars (ABC, DBE and FBG, defining axis X, Y and Z) with 6 retro-rockets, the
three bars crossing themselves perpendicularly, with body B in the cross
point.
Note 2: If you manage to put this 3bar gadget and keep it in absolute rest,
say 100km above the surface of earth, you should see the earth going away,
would be able to measure its real and absolute velocity in space (this
velocity is unknown today), and could measure the direction of this velocity.
If you want a bigger frame of reference, just use 3 units of the 3bar gadget,
forming a big and fixed plane in space (Just launch the first one in june,
the second in december and the third, in next june).
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