Einstein's Light Postulate: a Matter of Convention?

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Scientific Paper
Title Einstein\'s Light Postulate: a Matter of Convention?
Author(s) Antonio Ferrigno
Keywords Ritz, clocks, time, light, Einstein
Published 2000
Journal None

Abstract

The Lorentz transformations lead to various paradoxes. We have found non-Lorentz transformations which are also in accordance with the postulates of SRT. The existence of these alternative transformations can also be considered a paradox, since then the following question arises: how can one select the "true" transformations among the various possibilities? Furthermore, Einstein suggested that the method used to synchronize distant clocks is a matter of convention. In our opinion this implies that also the 2nd postulate of Einstein is a matter of convention. It should be therefore possible to find transformations linking physical quantities from one "convention" to another. We have explored the possibility of explaining the experimental world (the one observed by means of light) in terms of Galilean transformations and Newtonian laws of nature. Assuming that light propagates in accordance with the Ritz's postulate (the speed of the light is c in the frame where the source was at rest at the instant of the emission), we arrive at the conclusion that an Observer distorts the position and timing of a moving body in such a way that Einstein's light postulate holds.