2008/06/06 by Mitchell J. Feigenbaum, Feigenbaum, Mitchell J. · 1 citation
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Developments in Astronomy #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #History and Theory of Mathematics #Physics Education (physics.ed-ph) #Relativity and Gravitational Theory
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0806.1234
openalex publication_date 2008/06/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We determine the Lorentz transformations and the kinematic content and dynamical framework of special relativity as purely an extension of Galileo's thoughts. No reference to light is ever required: The theories of relativity are logically independent of any properties of light. The thoughts of Galileo are fully realized in a system of Lorentz transformations with a parameter 1/c2, some undetermined, universal constant of nature; and are realizable in no other. Isotropy of space plays a deep and pivotal role in all of this, since here three-dimensional space appears at first blush, and persists until the conclusion: Relativity can never correctly be fully developed in just one spatial dimension.