An interaction interpretation of special relativity theory. Part II

Abstract

The interaction interpretation of special relativity theory (elaborated in Part I) is discussed in relation to quantum theory. The relativistic transformations (Lorentz processes) of physical variables, on the interaction interpretation, are observation-interaction dependent, just as are the physical values (eigenvalues) of systems described by quantum-theoretic state functions; a common, basic structure of the special relativity and quantum theories can therefore be presented. The constancy of the light speed is shown to follow from interaction-transformations of frequency and wavelength variables. A parallelism is suggested between, on the one hand, the Lorentz-Clausius distinction for relativistic transformations, and, on the other, the distinction between observation-dependent and observation-independent natural processes. The empirical study of rates of macroscopic clocks can provide a critical test of the interaction interpretation and of a possible extension to gravitational time changes; the role of time as prior determinant of natural process is at issue. The Hafele-Keating observations are of general relativity effects on clocks in accelerated motion.