Last year , a friend posted to his blog a brief excerpt of an NPR radio show which pitted a Special Relativity challenger against one of its supporters. During the introduction, the reporter mentioned a test developed by a UC Riverside mathematician. This test, The Crackpot Index , is a combination of satire and seriousness. In reality, it highlights a number of common pitfalls that are repeatedly made by those challenging the establishment. If you score too high on this test, you will be labeled a Crackpot.
Archive for February, 2009
Mistake Identification – Introduction
On February - 8 - 2009
Many scientist critical of Special Relativity have challenged Einstein’s theory on the grounds of logical inconsistencies (e.g., challenges to the twin paradox or time dilation). While they offer compelling arguments, they have not found definitive evidence resulting in a crisis that the scientific community must respond to.
My challenge to the validity of Einstein’s equations is based on mathematics and a set of rules that the scientific community already accepts. This approach has the advantage of being readily verifiable by the greater scientific community.
Specifically, there are two main problems associated with Einstein’s SRT derivation. As indicated in Episode 20, wavelength is commonly misstated as a measure (e.g., meters) when, in fact, it should be correctly stated as a rate (e.g., meters per cycle). This is a significant conceptual and mathematical problem in Einstein’s work.
Readers familiar with namespaces and overloaded variables, and their relationship withfunctions, will find the second problem accurately addressed in Episode 17 of the Podcast Series – A Look at Einstein’s 1905 Derivation (Video). Simply stated, Einstein mistreats the Tau function as if it were an equation. Readers without this background will find the algebra-based approach given in the Storrs Conference Presentation (Video), easier to follow. Interestingly, Einstein and Lorentz drop a Beta term in each of their respective derivations. This point is also discussed briefly in Episode 17 of the Podcast series.
Welcome to RelativityChallenge.com
On February - 8 - 2009
“I never could figure out how rods got shorter simply by travelling at higher velocities or how time (which doesn’t appear to be a “thing”) could actually dilate. Your Episode #20 was excellent, showing the critical difference between length and rates. So that’s it! Those things don’t really happen.”
Glenn Borchardt, PhD
Odds are that you’ve arrived here because you either 1) are convinced that something is wrong with Einstein’s theory of Relativity and want to explore what that might be or 2) you believe that Special Relativity is right and want to know what people who disagree with his theory are saying.
Regardless of the reason that brought you here, I hope that as you explore the materials on the site you’ll learn something new. We cover a lot of material ranging from the specifics around Einstein’s mistake, to the introduction of an alternative model, to a review of some of the more well known scientific experiments related to Special Relativity.
A Brute-Force Mathematical Challenge to Special Relativity
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
A Brute-Force Mathematical Challenge to Special Relativity
Summary
This paper uses real values to illustrate the problem with Einstein’s 1905 derivation of the Xi (or X-axis) transformation equation. It also discusses the root cause of the problem and why it has been an illusive problem to uncover.
Revisiting the Michelson and Morley Experiment
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
Summary
This paper reevaluates the Michelson-Morley experiment from the perspective of frequency using the superposition of waves principle. This reanalysis reveals their detection of an Earth orbital velocity of 30 km/s.
This finding supports the CICS model and questions special relativity on experimental grounds.
Revisiting the Ives and Stillwell Atomic Clock Experiment
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
Summary
This paper compares the predicted results of SRT and the CICS model against the actual results of the Ives Stillwell experiment. CICS is shown to predict the results of the experiment as well as, or better than, SRT.
Understanding and Correcting Einstein’s 1905 Time Transformation
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
Understanding and Correcting Einstein’s 1905 Time Transformation
Summary
This paper reveals the root cause of the mistake in Einstein’s 1905 paper. It derives the time and length transformations, algebraically, revealing the problem of Einstein’s mistreatment of the time “function” as an “equation.”
Communicating Special Relativity Theory’s Mathematical Inconsistencies
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
Communicating Special Relativity Theory’s Mathematical Inconsistencies
Summary
This paper reveals Einstein’s mathematical mistakes in his 1905 paper, his 1912 paper, and his Relativity book. While the material contained in this paper is accurate, I have found more effective ways of communicating my findings. Please see Episode 17 in the Podcast section, for example.
Reexamining Special Relativity
On February - 7 - 2009
Title
Reexamining Special Relativity: Revealing and correcting SR’s mathematical inconsistency
Summary
This is my original paper on Complete and Incomplete Coordinate Systems. It reveals the mistakes in Einstein’s papers as well as offers the corrections to the equations and postulates. It also discusses implications such as the reintroduction of the electro-magnetic ether and the prediction of a Quantum Wave Medium.
