Relativity and Absoluteness Inherent in the Law of the Constancy of the Speed of Light

Abstract

Hyoungseok Koh

This paper re-evaluates the foundations of special relativity from the perspective of measurement mechanics, demonstrating that while the law of the constancy of the speed of light universally holds, the operational methods for measuring light speed fundamentally differ between the stationary frame and constant velocity frames. In the absolute stationary frame, light speed is measured directly via physical round-trips. Conversely, in a moving frame, its invariance is operationally constructed through "coordinate borrowing" and phase synchronization, rather than direct mechanical measurement. By deriving the full Lorentz transformation solely from light-speed constancy and spacetime linearity, we prove that the principle of relativity is a subordinate proposition rather than an independent postulate. Crucially, assuming an absolute stationary frame, we re-interpret the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment through phase synchronization mechanics, emphasizing an instrumental asymmetry between the invariant rigid ruler and the adjusted light ruler. This framework successfully bridges relativistic paradigms with quantum mechanics.

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