Lorentz Transformation
& Particle/Wave Duality
Length Contraction &
Relative Simultaneity
The Lorentz Transformation
In John Field's paper "A New Kinematical Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation and the Particle Description of Light", he distinguishes between the kinematic (i.e. describing motion) and the dynamic (i.e. considering the causes) aspects of the transformation.
By this means he derives the Lorentz Transformation without assuming Einstein's second postulate (that the velocity of light is constant in all frames of reference). Instead, he uses three novel postulates to show that Einstein's second postulate is a necessary CONSEQUENCE of relativistic kinematics, if it is assumed that light consists of massless particles. The postulates are:
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A weak kinematical form of Einstein's first postulate (the Special Relativity Principle), that requires only that space-time measurements by two different inertial observers will be the same.
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Uniqueness. I.e. That the Lorentz Transformation should give a single solution for any given scenario.
- Spatial Isotropy. I.e. That space is uniform in all directions.
Particle/Wave Duality
This paper also comments on the particle/wave duality of light. He deduces that, for consistency with Classical Electrodynamics, individual photons of light must be particles. The wave-like property derives from the behaviour of large numbers of photons. This is similar to the fluidic behaviour of many material particles, such as flour or sand.
John Field's paper "A New Kinematical Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation and the Particle Description of Light" may be downloaded here.
