On the Arbitrary Choice Regarding which Inertial Reference Frame is "Stationary" and which is "Moving" in the Special Theory of Relativity

2000/05/28 by Douglas Snyder, D. M. Snyder, Snyder, D. M.
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Mathematical Theories and Applications #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #physics.gen-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0005077

80 pages, final draft of paper for Physics Essays, vol. 7, 1994, ps. 297-334, posted on APS site at http://publish.aps.org/eprint/gateway/eplist/aps1997sep01_001

arxiv created 2000/05/28 · openalex publication_date 2000/05/28 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Einstein's argument on the relativity of simultaneity itself is the first result of the special theory of relativity. The nature of this result is explored, and implications of this result for the structure and functioning of the physical world found in the special theory are discussed.

Related

• Inertial frames of reference, space and time measurements, and physical principles of special relativity revisited
• The relativity of simultaneity and presentism
• Special Relativity in Absolute Space: from a contradiction in terms to an obviousness
• Yet another derivation of special relativity transformations without the second postulate
• Simultaneity in special and general relativity