Physical Laws and the Theory of Special Relativity

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Scientific Paper
Title Physical Laws and the Theory of Special Relativity
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Author(s) Georg Galeczki
Keywords physical law, diffusion equation, radioactive decay, conservation principles
Published 1994
Journal Apeiron
Volume 1
Number 20
No. of pages 6
Pages 26-31

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Abstract

The meaning of a physical law is discussed. A distinction is made between specific laws such as: the 1/r2 law, the diffusion equation, the law of radioactive decay, Hubble's law, and fundamental laws such as conservation principles. The status of Maxwell's equations is reexamined. It is concluded that: a) physical laws pertain to closed systems, b) physical laws are formulated in inertial reference frames, determined by the center of mass of the closed system, c) there exists a unique, global inertial reference frame, and d) physical laws need not be Lorentz covariant.