2000/04/03 by Lieu, Richard
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Medicine · Physics and Astronomy · #Accelerator Physics (physics.acc-ph) #Biofield Effects and Biophysics #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution #FOS: Physical sciences #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #physics.acc-ph #physics.class-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0004007
7 pages, 1 figure
arxiv created 2000/04/03 · openalex publication_date 2000/04/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The starting point of the theory of Special Relativity1 is the Lorentz transformation, which in essence describes the lack of absolute measurements of space and time. These effects came about when one applies the Second Relativity Postulate to inertial observers. Here I demonstrate that there is a very elegant way of explaining how exactly nature enforces Special Relativity, which compels us to conclude that Einstein's great theory has already revealed quantization of space and time. The model proposes that microscopically the structure of space-time is analogous to a crystal which consists of lattice points or `tickmarks' (for measurements) connected by identical `elastic springs'. When at rest the `springs' are at their natural states. When set in motion and used to measure objects at rest, however, the lattice effectively vibrates in a manner described by Einstein's theory of the heat capacity of solids, with consequent widening of the `tickmarks' because the root-mean-square separation now increases. I associate a vibration temperature T with the speed of motion v via the fundamental postulate of this theory, viz. the relation (v2)/(c2) = e^-\fracεkT where ε is a quantum of energy of the lattice harmonic oscillator. A moving observer who measures distances with such a vibrating lattice obtains results which are precisely those given by the Lorentz transformation. Apart from its obvious beauty, this approach provides many new prospects in understanding space and time. For example, a consequence of the model is that space-time, like mass, can in principle be converted to energy.