Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity - Illogical?
I have tried to understand Einstein's relativity theories, beginning with the theory of special relativity. I think I understand the theory but I cannot understand it's conclusions.
According to the theory of special relativity all motion is relative, which would mean that there is no absolute motion, since all motion is dependent on the motion and positions of the different observers of that motion.
However, I cannot find any logical proof of the conclusion that time passes slower at higher velocities, or that all motion is relative.
Time Dilation
Time dilation is often illustrated by a spacecraft moving at high velocity. See, for example, this illustration from Chalmers, http://fy.chalmers.se/~f3aamp/dd/VVV/Exp/gedanken.html, where the observer inside the craft is purportedly seeing the beam of light hit the roof at a point directly above the origin point of the beam - while the observer outside the craft sees that the craft during this time has moved forward a certain distance, the beam thereby having travelled a greater diagonal distance in the same time. From this, Einstein came to the conclusion that since the speed of light is constant, time must move slower for objects in motion - the higher the velocity, the slower time will pass.
The problem, as I see it, is that the observer inside the rocket would also notice that the point in the roof perpendicular to the starting point has moved forward, and that the beam of light hits the roof at a corresponding distance behind the point outlined in the example. The observer on the outside should also notice that the beam travelled in a straight line to the roof, and not diagonally. So there is no logical evidence for the existence of time dilation in relation to the speed of motion.
If the conclusion that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light is based on time dilation, then this limitation is also not valid.
The Twin Paradox or the Globe Paradox
The Twin Paradox isn't really a paradox, it is actually a logical consequence of the special relativity theory.
Time dilation does however contain a real logical paradox. If we look upon a rotating globe which at its poles rotates one lap in, for example, 20 hours. But, due to the higher speed at its equator, the time will pass there at a slower pace, making the equator rotate one lap in a shorter time. How can a globe rotate one lap at the poles in 20 hours while its equator rotates one lap in, for example, 19 hours?
Relative motion or Absolute motion
A car that travels eastwards at the equator at midnight with a speed of 100 km/h will, by an observer at the equator be perceived as moving at 100 km/h, while an observer on the moon will notice the speed as 1'770 km/h, 100 km/h plus the speed of the Earth's rotation at the equator 1'670 km/h.
All motion is relative to the observer's position, the speed of the car is 100 km/h relative to Earth, 1'770 km/h in relation to the moon and 107'200 km/h in relation to the sun, due to Earth's rotation around the sun, or more precisely, +/- (0 to 1'770) km/h depending on the time of day.
A measurable motion is not relative, even if it is perceived differently by the observer's own motion or position, the same way that a mountain isn't smaller even if it looks smaller at a distance.
If we look at the example of the spacecraft above, and - instead of coming to the conclusion that time is dilating - we use the tendency of light to continue straight ahead in it's starting direction to calculate the absolute speed of the craft. If, for example, the distance to the roof is 10 m and the light beam hits the roof 1 m behind the point originally outlined in the example, the speed of the spacecraft would be 30'000 km/s, 1/10 of the speed of light. Every mm corresponds to 30 km/s. If the distance to the roof was 1 km instead of 10 m, every mm would correspond to a speed of 300 m/s.
How to measure Absolute motion
With two perpendicular light beams we can calculate both the absolute direction and the absolute speed of an object in motion.
Fig. 1
Light beam A is sent from point AS towards point A perpendicular to the starting point AS. Due to the motion of the cube the beam will hit the opposite wall at the point AT instead of point A. The cube has consequently traveled from point AT to point A, that is the distance x to the right and the distance y upward.
Light beam B from point BS towards point B will hit the opposite wall at the point BT instead of point B. The cube has consequently also traveled from point BT to point B, that is the distance y upwards and the distance z awayward.
X, y and z forms a cuboid where the diagonal from point 0,0,0 to point x,y,z constitutes the absolute motion and direction during the time it took for the beam to travel from one side of the cube to the opposite side.
Fig. 2
The diagonal in the bottom of the cuboid: Sxz = √( x² + z² )
The diagonal in the cuboid: S = √( y² + Sxz² )
The cube has thus traveled the distance S during the time it took for the beam to travel the distance K between two opposite sides of the cube.
The absolut speed of the cube is then calculated to: S / (K / "Speed of light").
My conclusions
- All motions can be calculated and are therefore not relative.
- Time does not pass slower due to the speed of motion.
- The Twin Paradox is also not valid.
Feel free to send me relevant opinions or comments about my conclusions.
