Special Relativity with Modified Relativity of Physical Laws

Abstract

Hyoungseok Koh*

This study reveals the coexistence of observer relativity and the absoluteness of inertial frames by modifying the relativity of physical laws of special relativity into the relativity of photonic laws. Here, the relativity of photonic laws refers to light-based physical laws, including electromagnetism, optics, and electrodynamics. By combining the relativity of photonic laws with the invariance principles of rigid rulers, atomic clocks, and light, the Lorentz transformation and its inverse are derived. In this framework, the rest frame employs rigid rulers, light, and atomic clocks, whereas the constant-velocity frame relies only on light and atomic clocks. Since rigid rulers are exclusive to the rest frame, the two frames are physically distinguished. Notably, the discrepancy between the length measured by light in the constant-velocity system and that measured by a rigid ruler demonstrates the coexistence of observer relativity and the absoluteness of inertial frames. Photon round-trip experiments using light as a ruler reveal the absolute properties of inertial frames, whereas interference experiments using rigid rulers demonstrate observer relativity. This interpretation of special relativity, grounded in the relativity of photonic laws and the invariance of measuring instruments, provides a comprehensive understanding of spacetime measurement and physical laws.

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