Volume 26: Pages 110-112, 2013

Postulates of special relativity

Sanford Aranoff ^a)

Department of Mathematics, Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, USA

Physicists state that a postulate of special relativity is the constancy of the speed of light, when the truth is that the only postulate is the inertial postulate. We will say a few words about misconceptions about relativity in general. We need to think more deeply to be sure to impart correct ideas to our students.

Quelques postulats de la relativité restreinte. Les physiciens affirment que le postulat de la relativité restreinte est la constance de la vitesse de la lumière. Tout au contraire, le seul postulat acceptable est celui de l'inertie. Notre article propose donc de souligner certaines idées fausses sur la relativité en générale. Nous devons penser plus en profondeur afin de garantir la transmission d'idées correctes à nos étudiants.

Keywords: Special Theory of Relativity, Nature of Physical Theories, Coulomb's Law and Maxwell's Equations of Electromagnetism, Charge Conservation, 4-Vector Potential, Retarded Potential, Age of Universe, Gravitation

Received: July 12, 2012; Accepted: December 29, 2012; Published Online: February 26, 2013

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