A Novel Interpretation of the Lorentz Transformations (Slide Set)

Abstract

While 'interpretations of a theory' are most commonly associated with quantum mechanics, they can become important in other branches of physics as well. Here we present a novel interpretation of the Lorentz Transformations in which length contraction is re-conceptualized as the abatement of a body's dimensionality, and time dilation as the abatement of its duration of existence within a given coordinate time interval. The re-interpretation of length contraction makes it possible to understand the invariance of the speed of light and the relationship between classical electric and magnetic fields at a deeper level. The re-interpretation of time dilation makes it possible to integrate the heretofore purely philosophical concept of existence into physics. Together, they lead to a recognition of the importance of two invariance principles and two corresponding spacetime symmetries which are under the prevailing paradigm so obvious that it usually goes unnoticed, and thereby set the stage for recognizing new fundamental relationships in other areas of physics, in particular quantum mechanics.