Abstract
We present a novel phenomenological foundation of relativistic physics. That means, we focus on the observable entities and make no mathematical preassumptions. Like Einstein for relativistic kinematics we start from vivid measurement operations and simple natural principles. Seeking, formulating and refining operational definitions reveals the physical meaning. We grasp the basic observables (length, duration, inertial mass, momentum, energy) in a physical way. We define an order of energy and impulse from a physical comparison. Each step (the construction of “sufficiently constant” reference devices and of a machinery, which “functions” for a basic measurement) follows from practical requirements. One can directly count the tangible measurement units and ultimately derive the fundamental equations (e.g. the kinetic energy-velocity relation or the mass-energy equivalence).
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Notes
- 1.
One replaces the traditional rulers and clocks by new light clocks because they approximate the aspired ideal of uniform running more precisely. Contemporary metrology regards the speed of light c as an invariant natural constant and introduces optical clocks as a frequency standard. The definition of the standard length \(s_{\mathcal {L}}\) is based on a given standard duration \(t_{\mathcal {L}}\) and the universal speed of light c.
Basic dimensions (unit length, unit time etc.) are “arbitrarily chosen constant reference measures” [8]. Contemporary metrology refers to the standard duration \(t_{\mathrm {Cs}}\) of a Cesium period and the speed of light c. On paper one defines the atomic second \(\mathrm {sec}_{\mathrm {SI}} := 9192631770 \cdot t_{\mathrm {Cs}}\) as a multiple of that standard duration (to match the calendrical second). This defines a standard distance, which light propagates in one atomic second of flight. Then one defines the standard meter, again on paper, as a certain fraction of that distance \(299792458\cdot \mathrm {m}_{\mathrm {SI}} := (c \cdot \mathrm {sec}_{\mathrm {SI}})\). These new SI units are more practical. Now everyone can reproduce the SI second and meter from invariant natural processes (\(\mathrm {Cs}\)-period and speed of light) and fixed numerical factors (to match the traditional prototypes, that refer to a tropical year and to a platinum-iridium standard bar from the international bureau of weights and standards, that are not accessible and change in time!).
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Hartmann, B. (2019). Operationalization of Basic Relativistic Measurements. In: Puetzfeld, D., Lämmerzahl, C. (eds) Relativistic Geodesy. Fundamental Theories of Physics, vol 196. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11500-5_10
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