We would welcome comment and further discussion on the following apparent corollary in special relativity (SR). Through one-time application of the Lorentz transformation one can derive a general expression for the transit time of a photon between two inertial frames, T2-T1 = Lo*sqrt[(1+v/c)/(1-v/c)]. Here, Lo is the separation of the inertial frames at the time T1 when the photon is sent from one frame and T2 is the time when it arrives at the other frame. Each time is directly recorded by the observer on his own clock, situated in the corresponding frame. This equation is appropriate for calculations in various kinematic applications of SR. With it, one can determine time and space event coordinates in any communications with photons between frames. The equation of motion of light, as it were, permits rendition of activity, observed in one inertial frame by a physicist there, to another observers frame, thereby accomplishing the essential purpose of SR, namely reconciliation of physics everywhere. In application, no transformations as such of event coordinates are involved and there is no need for use of the velocity addition theorem. Everything is reduced to the simple question of correction to light transit time for signal delay, in form, a classical operation.
Tom Orofino, Tom-Orofino(at)UTC.edu
Eric Lane, Eric-Lane(at)UTC.edu
Prof. Eric T. Lane eric-lane@utc.edu
Physics Dept. 2352 423-265-7804
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 37403-2409