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The arithmetic basis of special relativity

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Abstract

Under relatively general particle and rocket frame motions, it is shown that, for special relativity, the basic concepts can be formulated and the basic properties deduced using only arithmetic. Particular attention is directed toward velocity, acceleration, proper time, momentum, energy, and 4-vectors in both space-time and Minkowski space, and to relativistic generalizations of Newton's second law. The resulting mathematical simplification is not only completely compatible with modern computer technology, but it yields dynamical equations that can be solved directly by such computers. Particular applications of the numerical equations, which are either Lorentz invariant or are directly related to Lorentz-invariant formulas, are made to the study of a relativistic harmonic oscillator and to the motion of an electric particle in a magnetic field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

    Donald Greenspan

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  1. Donald Greenspan
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Greenspan, D. The arithmetic basis of special relativity. Int J Theor Phys 15, 557–574 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01811863

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01811863

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