Re: Symmetry in Lorentz transformation equations

[David Bowman <dbowman@TIGER.GEORGETOWNCOLLEGE.EDU>]

Sarma,

Regarding:

> I think the first one i.e., x<--->t, x'<---->t' is the most obvious.
> It is telling us that x and t are exchangeable. Both equations have the
> dimensions of time and it indicates the equivalence of x and t.

This supposed equivalence can be only conceivably be the case if the
universe has 1 spatial and 1 temporal dimension.  The experimental
evidence is that the universe has 3 observable spatial dimensions and 1
temporal dimension.  In the presence of y & z dimensions a switch of x &
t is not a symmetry of nature--even if it is a symmetry of a Lorentz
boost transformation along the x direction.

David Bowman
dbowman@georgetowncollege.edu