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Time Dilation: Acoustic Relativity

Geryllax Vu

Entry posted by Geryllax Vu

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Under the Special Theory of Relativity, the units of time are to be measured in terms of a triangle formed by a reflected light bean. This gives rise to the effect of time dilation appearing between an observer in motion and an observer at relative rest. The phenomenon of time dilation is, however, indiscernible for the observer who shares in the motion.

If a sound wave is used to measure the unit of time, the time dilation assumes a cloak of invisibility. The dilation appears only slightly when the sound source is in motion (v << c). So, while measuring a unit of time on a clock, across reference frames, is impossible for a light beam, it is well within the grasp of a sound wave. An observer in motion will totally agree with an observer at relative rest.

The formulae of c = L / t or t = L / c, is the simplest form of the Newtonian law, or equation of motion in an inertial reference frame attached to the train, by the principle of relativity. A comparison with the result of my thought experiment yields an unmasking of length contraction. The time of travel of the sound wave down the length of the train car, L, if it were at rest, can be read from the length specifications, and the known speed of sound waves c.

The observer on board the train would anticipate the measured time can be solved for by using algebra. But, if the train is in motion (forward), then the time measured will be different from this time: t = L - vt / c, (with t = t), or t = L / (c + v), due to the forward motion of the train car at the velocity, v. And thus the time that the sound wave has taken while traveling, as interpreted by the observer, will be shorter than the time of travel for the sound wave down the train car, if it were at rest.

The setup of my thought experiment uses a single clock so that no synchronization is necessary. This has been put forward as a proof for supporting STR. In most examples to illustrate STR, it is put forward that the observer at rest has to use two clocks for two events that occur at different locations in space.

However in my hypothesis, there is only one clock, and only one observer within the train reference frame; thus doing an end run around synchronization; it is not a limitation for my hypothesis. I propose that the answer the train car observer measures is identical to that of an observer on the platform, without any sort of communication going on between the two.

This shakes the appearance and reality of Relativity. An axiomatic statement that these two observers, one at rest one in motion, will measure two different times and velocities for the same event, is at the heart of Relativity. But my setup has done precisely that.

Both the train observer and the platform observer will claim the same, identical formula for the motion of the train car. This is the same formula found by the platform observer by the Galilean transformation. Units of time cannot be measured by light waves across reference frames, to get a single common value; but it can be measured thusly by sound waves, under easily met conditions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation

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Geryllax Vu

LOL Im just trying to find an opening or weakness in Special Relativity. I think I have found the glitch in Newtonian or Galilean relativity (sound waves and light waves violate invariance). Einstein may be on the horizon. Will listen to any suggestions to jump from sound to light.

A friend in Japan made fun of me, pointing out a video for chewing gum "Space Ad" that uses a sound microphone attached to a transmitting dish antenna, which directs sound into outer space. I thought it was pretty funny.

The link to youtube is below:

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Stratis

The issue here is with the nature of your 'measurement' waveform; a soundwave is distinct from a light beam in a very specific manner; it is not at the greatest possible speed within its medium.

The medium of sound is whatever physical medium is carrying it; if it is air, then it is Mach 1. This however does not equal 'c' in your equations, as it is possible to exceed the speed of sound in any given medium. You falsely attribute the character 'c' to mean Mach 1, when one of the governing principles of the letter c in physics is that it is the upper asymptotic limit for all velocity within that medium (for light, a vacuum), not just the wavefront itself.

Also, if you are using only a single reference frame then STR basically ceases to apply; we here on Earth are hurtling through the cosmos at quite a velocity yet notice no dilation or synchronisation issues here because we are all in roughly the same inertial frame. STR only applies when two bodies are in relative motion. If your second observer is on the platform then the synchronisation and dilation issue returns with a vengeance.

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Geryllax Vu

Thanks for your response. I am trying to think through some of the same issues that you are bringing up. The symbol c applies to the speed of light as well as the speed of sound, which was a surprise to me. I think it reflects their nature as constant waves that stay constant no matter if the source is moving or at rest (both of waves violate Galilean invariance, and display the Doppler Effect).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound

You are getting ahead of me a little bit; I will probably have something that deals with astronomy in a couple of weeks. If I can get sound waves and light waves to follow the Michelson-Morley formulas then that should show more of a connection between sound wave phenomena and light wave phenomena. It may be just a goal or puzzle to work on; it just keeps unraveling thus far.

The Earth hurtles through the Cosmos with a thin layer of atmosphere clinging, fortunately, to the surface of the planet. So all the air molecules (medium) are sharing in the motion of the Earth; their gained momentum masks the Earth’s motion. But if an object like an automobile is in motion, while the surrounding air is at rest, then I am proposing that the Michelson-Morley formula should apply which includes the letter, c, for both light waves and sound waves.

So, I am saying that the Earth carrying the air along with its motion is different than an auto, or deck of Galileo’s ship, which I mention in my other blog entries. Most types of Earthbound vehicles in motion do not carry the air along with their motion, they are separated; this, I propose, can mathematically fit the MM formula.

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