Superphysics Superphysics
Section 21

The Foundations of Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity are Unsatisfactory

by Albert Einstein Icon
2 minutes  • 371 words

Newton’s First Law is only valid for non-moving K which:

  • have unique states of motion, and
  • are in uniform translational motion relative to each other.
Relative to other reference-bodies K, the law is not valid.

Both in classical mechanics and in special relativity, we differentiate between:

  • viewpoints K [man outside the box] where the laws of nature can hold relatively [affected by c]
  • viewpoints K [man inside the box] where those laws cannot hold relatively [insignificant to c]

WTF

But why are relativistic viewpoints more important than non-relativistic viewpoints? *

Einstein Con-man

*Superphysics Note: No, they are not more important or have more priority to Nature. All reference-bodies or viewpoints are of equal importance!

A gas range has two identical pots with water. Steam is being emitted continuously from Pot A which is on a flame, but not from Pot B which has no flame. I can see that the flame causes steam. If both have no flame but Pot A still gives steam, then I will be puzzled.

Similarly, I seek in vain for a real something in classical mechanics or special relativity which causes gravity which creates the different behaviour of bodies from viewpoints K [inside the box] and K'* [outside the box].

Einstein Con-man

**Einstein Note: The objection is most important when the motion of the viewpoint is inherent e.g. when the viewpoint is rotating uniformly.

Newton saw this objection and attempted to invalidate it, but without success*.

*Superphysics Note: Here, Einstein explains that he invents inertial mass (and therefore the preference to relativistic spacetime) simply because he couldn’t find the cause for gravity. So he sources it from Newton’s Second Law in a spacetime that is in perpetual movement. This is why gravity in his General Relativity is not a force that acts from afar, but a warping of spacetime that changes movements of perpetually-moving objects.

The cause of gravity has already been identified by Descartes as aethereal vortices. Newton discarded Descartes and so he couldn’t identify the cause of gravitation.

But E. Mach recognised it most clearly. He claimed that mechanics must be placed on a new basis. It can only be solved by GR since its equations hold for every body of reference, whatever may be its state of motion.

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