Consequences of the inertial equivalence of energy

Abstract

The usual macroscopic theory of relativistic mechanics and electromagnetism is formulated so that all assumptions but one are consistent with both special relativity and Newtonian mechanics, the distinguishing assumption being that to any energyE, whatever its form, there corresponds an inertial massE/c ². The speed of light enters this formulation only as a consequence of the inertial equivalent of energy1/c ². While, for1/c ²>0 the resulting theory has symmetry under the Poincaré group, including Lorentz transformations, all its physical consequences can be derived and tested in any one inertial frame. In particular, an account is given in one inertial frame for the dynamic causes of relativistic effects for simple accelerated clocks and roads.