1975American Journal of PhysicsRequires access

Lorentz transformations from the first postulate

A. R. Lee, T. M. Kalotas

Open publisher page 129 citations

Abstract

We present in this paper a derivation of the Lorentz transformation by invoking the principle of relativity alone, without resorting to the a priori assumption of the existence of a universal limiting velocity. Such a velocity is shown to be a necessary consequence of the first postulate, and the fact that it is not infinite is borne out by experiment.

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What this paper is about

We present in this paper a derivation of the Lorentz transformation by invoking the principle of relativity alone, without resorting to the a priori assumption of the existence of a universal limiting velocity. Such a velocity is shown to be a necessary consequence of the first postulate, and the fact that it is not infinite is borne out by experiment.

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Available abstract

We present in this paper a derivation of the Lorentz transformation by invoking the principle of relativity alone, without resorting to the a priori assumption of the existence of a universal limiting velocity. Such a velocity is shown to be a necessary consequence of the first postulate, and the fact that it is not infinite is borne out by experiment.

Key concepts: Physics, One-way speed of light, Lorentz transformation, Velocity-addition formula, Test theories of special relativity, Four-momentum, A priori and a posteriori, Limiting

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