Volume 23: Pages 137-143, 2010

Contesting and testing infinitesimal Lorentz transformations and the associated equivalence principle

Ronald R. Hatch ¹

¹1142 Lakme Avenue, Wilmington, California 90744, USA

Evidence is presented to show that infinitesimal Lorentz transformations (ILTs) contradict the “clock hypothesis” that acceleration affects the clock rate only indirectly through the resultant velocity. But the clock hypothesis has substantial supporting experimental evidence. It is also shown that the equivalence principle, upon which the general relativity is based, depends on the validity of ILTs. In addition, a fairly simple Mössbauer experiment on the International Space Station is suggested, which would clearly indicate whether or not the ILTs are valid. However, it is also shown that a careful consideration of clocks on the earth already provides equivalent experimental data, which indicates that ILTs are invalid.

Keywords: Infinitesimal Lorentz Transformations, Special Theory of Relativity, General Theory of Relativity, Accelerating Frame, Speed of Light, Equivalence Principle, Mössbauer Effect, Sagnac Effect, Twin Paradox

Received: February 24, 2009; Accepted: January 13, 2010; Published Online: March 1, 2010