Revisiting the Matter of Time Dilation in Special Relativity

Abstract

There are different interpretations of the Lorentz transformations of the Special Theory of Relativity (SR) concerning the relative rates of two clocks
that are moving at constant relative rectilinear velocity (Einstein’s definition of conditions necessary for SR). [It is common to talk in terms of how one observer “views” another clock that is moving at constant velocity relative to them. This carries an implication of visual observation. That is a limitation avoided in this contribution by the use of “as determined”, without specifying the means employed, but wherever “as viewed” does occur, it is to be considered as “as determined”]. One opinion, which is the settled opinion among physicists, holds that the clocks are “actually” going at different rates. Another opinion holds that it is merely a matter of how observers determine the clocks’ rates to be related, with the clocks in fact going at the same rate. The differences in these interpretations are resolved analytically. Five arguments are presented [excluding an inference from the first postulate]. The clocks are determined to have the same rates, i.e. there is no “time dilation” under SR conditions. The related opinion – that the clocks are going at the same rate, but are determined by observers to be going at different rates - is seen to be consistent. Experimental reports, which directly conclude that the clocks are going at different rates, are shown to be seriously flawed, or to not even comply with Einstein’s definition of SR.