Uniformly moving clocks in special relativity: Time dilatation, but no relativity of simultaneity or length contraction

2006/03/16 by J. H. Field, Field, J. H.
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algebraic and Geometric Analysis #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Mathematics and Applications #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #physics.gen-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0603135

5 pages, no tables, no figures. See also physics/0501043 and physics/0601131. v2 improved presentation, 4 new references, conclusions unchanged. v3 typos removed, notation improved, 2 new references. v4 improved notation, added reference. v5 typos removed, text additions. v6 calculation corrected in Added Note, references updated. v7 typo corrected

openalex publication_date 2006/03/16 · arxiv created 2009/02/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Time-like and space-like invariant space-time intervals are used to analyse measurements of spatial and temporal distances defined by two spatially-separated clocks. The time dilatation effect is confirmed, but not `relativity of simultaneity' or `relativistic length contraction'. How these latter, spurious, effects arise from misuse of the Lorentz transformation is also explained.

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