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On the Establishment of a Universal Time

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Parry Moon  and
Domina Eberle Spencer
Parry Moon
Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut
Domina Eberle Spencer
Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut
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Extract

The concept of simultaneity, and the associated problems of synchronization of moving clocks and establishment of a universal time scale, were given little or no attention prior to the twentieth century. In 1905, however, Einstein analyzed the concept of simultaneity on the basis of two principal postulates:

  1. (1) Absolute velocity is meaningless (relativity postulate),

  2. (2) The velocity of light in a vacuum is the same for all unaccelerated observers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , July 1956 , pp. 216 - 229
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1956

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References

1 A. Einstein, “Zur Electrodynamik bewegter Körper”, Ann. d. Phys., Vol. 17, p. 891 (1905).

2 H. Minkowski, “Raum und Zeit”, address delivered in 1908; see “The Principle of Relativity”, New York, Dover Publications.

3 P. Moon and D. E. Spencer, “A New Electrodynamics”, J. Franklin Inst., Vol. 257, p. 369 (1954); “Electromagnetism without Magnetism: an Historical Sketch”, Am. J. Phys., Vol. 22, p. 120 (1954).

4 W. de Sitter, “Ein astronomischer Beweis für die Konstanz der Lichtgeschwindigkeit”, Phys. Zs., Vol. 14, pp. 429, 1267 (1913).

5 P. Moon and D. E. Spencer, “Binary Stars and the Velocity of Light”, J. Opt. Soc. Am., Vol. 43, p. 635 (1953).

6 P. Moon and D. E. Spencer, “The Velocity of Light”, to be published in “Critique and Development of the Theory of Relativity”, K. Sapper editor, Graz, Austria.

7 P. Moon and D. E. Spencer, “On the Ampère Force”, J. Franklin Inst., Vol. 260, p. 307 (1955).

8 E. A. Milne, “Kinematic Relativity”, Oxford Univ. Press, 1948.

9 R. W. Sellars, “The Philosophy and Physics of Relativity”, Phil. of Sci., Vol. 13, p. 177 (1946).

10 W. Ritz, “Recherches critiques sur l'électrodynamique générale”, Ann. chim. et phys., Vol. 13, p. 145 (1908).

11 L. Page, “A New Relativity”, Phys. Rev., Vol. 49, p. 254 (1936).

12 H. P. Robertson, “Kinematics and World Structure”, Astrop. J., Vol. 82, p. 284 (1935).

13 A. A. Robb, “Geometry of Time and Space”, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1936.

14 A. Grünbaum, “Logical and Philosophical Foundations of the Special Theory of Relativity”, Am. J. Phys., Vol. 23, p. 450 (1955).