Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Introduction
- 1 Review of Moritz Schlick's General Theory of Knowledge
- 2 Einstein's Theory of Space
- 3 Reply to H. Dingler's Critique of the Theory of Relativity
- 4 A Report on an Axiomatization of Einstein's Theory of Space-Time
- 5 Reply to Th. Wulf's Objections to the General Theory of Relativity
- 6 Einstein's Theory of Motion
- 7 The Theory of Relativity and Absolute Transport Time
- 8 Reply to Anderson's Objections to the General Theory of Relativity
- 9 Review of Aloys Müller's The Philosophical Problems with Einstein's Theory of Relativity
- 10 The Philosophical Significance of the Theory of Relativity
- 11 Planet Clocks and Einsteinian Simultaneity
- 12 On the Physical Consequences of the Axiomatization of Relativity
- 13 Has the Theory of Relativity Been Refuted?
- 14 Response to a Publication of Mr. Hj. Mellin
- Index
5 - Reply to Th. Wulf's Objections to the General Theory of Relativity
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 November 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Introduction
- 1 Review of Moritz Schlick's General Theory of Knowledge
- 2 Einstein's Theory of Space
- 3 Reply to H. Dingler's Critique of the Theory of Relativity
- 4 A Report on an Axiomatization of Einstein's Theory of Space-Time
- 5 Reply to Th. Wulf's Objections to the General Theory of Relativity
- 6 Einstein's Theory of Motion
- 7 The Theory of Relativity and Absolute Transport Time
- 8 Reply to Anderson's Objections to the General Theory of Relativity
- 9 Review of Aloys Müller's The Philosophical Problems with Einstein's Theory of Relativity
- 10 The Philosophical Significance of the Theory of Relativity
- 11 Planet Clocks and Einsteinian Simultaneity
- 12 On the Physical Consequences of the Axiomatization of Relativity
- 13 Has the Theory of Relativity Been Refuted?
- 14 Response to a Publication of Mr. Hj. Mellin
- Index
Summary
The objections to the general theory of relativity raised by Mr. Wulf in vol. 5083–84 of this journal are entirely based upon mistakes that have strangely crept into his discussion of the theory of relativity; a correction therefore seems justified. I will follow Wulf's train of thought; he considers whether the Ptolemaic account, with the Earth at rest, leads to contradictions with observed facts from Einstein's point of view.
This view allows for speeds whose numerical value is greater than the speed of light. This, however, does not contradict the theory of relativity, since the number 3.1010 cm sec–1 represents an upper limit only for inertial systems. Superluminal speeds, in the strict sense of the word, are non-existent, since no body can be moved quicker than a light signal at the same location in space and time in an inertial system. Further, in a gravitational field, light is the fastest messenger. The numerical value of this speed is dependent upon the definition of time in a gravitational field. Hence, in a gravitational field one cannot simply apply the Lorentz contraction of the special theory of relativity. In no way does it follow from Einstein's formulae that the planets would be shortened in the direction of their motion relative to a coordinate system attached to the Earth.
That the fixed stars, relative to a stationary Earth, all have the same 24-hour period of revolution is also no coincidence on this view.
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- Information
- Defending EinsteinHans Reichenbach's Writings on Space, Time and Motion, pp. 57 - 62Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006