2.1 - Introduction.
We consider now the kinetic energy given to masses when there is no
gravitational potential. The principle of mass-energy conservation
requires that masses increase when given kinetic energy. This has been demonstrated previously
(see Web). This is expressed by the relationship:
where:
 |
2.2 |
The index [rest] means that the measurement is made using the units of
the rest frame. The subscripts v and s refer to masses having
respectively a velocity v and no velocity (stationary). These indices
will be explained in detail in section 2.6.
Since masses can be excited particles containing internal potential
energy, we must study how to transform that potential energy between
frames. The mass-equivalent of this internal potential energy has
always been ignored in relativity. In order to be coherent, it must be
taken into account. Let us show how this correction restores physical
reality in relativity. To calculate the relationship between masses in
different frames we use the principle of mass-energy conservation
(equation 2.1). Let us find an equivalent relationship for the case of
energy released by an excited atom.
2.2 - Difference between
Time and What Clocks Display.
It has been suggested that time is what clocks measure. This definition
is incomplete and misleading. We have seen in chapter one that due to
mass-energy conservation, clocks in different gravitational potentials
run at different rates. We must realize that "time" is not elapsed more
slowly because a clock functions at a slower rate or because the atoms
and molecules in our body function at a slower rate.
We have seen in equation 1.22 that in the case of a change of
gravitational potential, the Bohr radius is larger when the electron
mass is smaller. We also know that according to quantum mechanics,
atomic clocks run more slowly when the electron mass is smaller. When
we say that an atomic clock runs more slowly, we mean that for that
atomic clock, it takes more "time" to complete one full cycle than for
an atomic clock in the initial frame, where the electron has a larger
mass. That slower rate can only be measured by comparing the duration
of a cycle in the initial frame with the duration of a cycle in the new
frame. It is the time rate measured in the initial frame at rest that
is considered the "reference time rate". We will see that all
observations are compatible with this unchanging "reference time rate".
The change of clock rate is not unique to atomic clocks. We recall that
quantum mechanics shows that the intermolecular distances in molecules
and in crystals are proportional to the Bohr radius (see appendix I).
Consequently, due to velocity, the length of a mechanical pendulum will
change. Therefore it can be shown that the period of oscillation of all
clocks (electronic or mechanical) will also change with velocity.
We cannot say that "time" flows at the rate at which all clocks run
because not all clocks run at the same rate. However, a coherent
measure of time must always refer to the reference rate. That reference
rate corresponds to the one given by a reference clock for which all
conditions are fully described. It never changes. However, all matter
around us (including our own body) is influenced by a change of
electron mass (see appendix I)
so that we are deeply tied to the rate of clocks running in our frame.
Since our body and all experiments in our frame are closely
synchronized with local clocks, it is much more convenient to describe
the results of experiments as a function of the clock rate in our own
frame. This is what we call the "apparent time".
We generally refer to the clock rate of our organism believing that we
are referring to the "real time". What appears as a "time interval" for
our organism is in fact the difference between two "clock displays" on
a clock located in our own frame. "Difference of clock displays" (DCD)
is a heavier phrase than "time interval" but it is necessary for an
accurate description of nature. Of course, clocks are instruments
measuring time but during the same time interval there is a difference
by a factor of proportionality between the "differences of clock
displays" of different frames. In order to avoid any misinterpretation,
we must use the word "time" with great caution when we want to shorten
the description. In that case, "time" is an apparent time
interval
corresponding to the difference of clock displays in a given frame when
no correction has been made to compare it with the reference time.
Since all our clocks and biological mechanisms depend on the electron's
mass and energy, humans feel nothing unusual when going to a new frame.
However, the time measured by the observer in that new frame is an apparent
time and it must be corrected to be compared with a time
interval on the fundamental reference frame.
2.3 - Description of the
Reference Time Rate.
We do not know how to build a clock whose rate will not change when
brought to a different gravitational potential or to a different
velocity. However, using the mass-energy conservation principle, we
have seen in equation 1.22 how to calculate the difference of clock
rate between clocks without relative velocity and located in different
gravitational potentials. This means that we can calculate the clock
rate in one frame as a function of the clock rate in a different frame,
as long as the gravitational potential and kinetic energies are fully
described in both frames.
An
absolute "reference time rate" can be defined using a clock located in
a frame in which the velocity and the gravitational potential are well
described. For example this could be a clock at rest with respect to
the Sun and far enough from it so that the residual gravitational
potential would be negligible. We could then arbitrarily define the
"reference time rate" as the rate at which that clock operates in these
particular conditions. Everywhere in the universe we would refer to
that rate as the "reference time rate". If such a reference clock were
brought from outer space to a location near the Sun, we have found in
chapter one that due to mass-energy conservation, it would run more
slowly because the electron would lose mass into energy that would
escape away from its initial frame.
Let us assume that an observer near the Sun wants to measure the period
of variation of light coming from a remote variable star. He uses his
clock and records a clock display every time the star is at its maximum
of brightness. The difference between two maxima will give him the
period of variation of the star, using his clock rate. Let us represent
by DCDs (where s stands for Sun)
the difference of clock displays for the clock near the Sun. In
Einstein's relativity, since time is what clocks measure, DCDs
is interpreted as a time interval. However, we know that a difference
of clock displays simply gives a pure number without any information on
what the absolute time is. The subscript of DCDs
refers only to the location of the clock and not to an absolute time
unit. We know however that another clock far away from the Sun (in a
higher gravitational potential) will give a different difference of
clock displays called DCDo.s.
(where o.s. stands for outer space) between each maxima because it runs
at a different rate (that is equal to the "reference outer space clock
rate"). Consequently, the DCDs
recorded near the Sun will not be the same as the DCDo.s.
recorded in outer space. The observer near the Sun will have the
illusion of a "time interval" (that he might call Dt)
that
is different from the one measured by the observer located in
outer space simply because the clock rate at his location is different
due to a different electron mass. One must understand that the real
time interval for a star to complete a cycle does not vary because the
observe r has moved somewhere else or because his clock runs at a
different rate. Consequently, when we refer to DCD,
we
must always specify (with a subscript) in which frame the clock is
located. Then a correction needs to be made to that number if we want
to calculate the corresponding DCD given by
a reference clock in outer space. We must remember that the DCD
given by a local clock is a pure number that must be multiplied by a
unit of time to give a "real time" interval. Therefore, an absolute
reference of "time unit" must be defined. Furthermore, the absolute
standard of unit of time will appear different in different frames
since we have seen that local clocks run at different rates in
different gravitational potentials.
We see that there is no time dilation nor time contraction. There is no
magic. In order to be able to make a comparison between systems, it is
absolutely necessary to compare the differences of clock displays
(which are not time but numbers of units of time)
instead of the time intervals.
This problem cannot be discussed properly using directly the parameter
"time" because of the psychological impression on humans that time is
the rate at which our own organism runs. This last rate depends on the
electron mass in the frame in which we are located. Consequently, we
must get familiar with the phrase "difference of clock displays" (DCDframe) remembering that it
corresponds to the "time interval" believed to be felt by an
observer in that particular frame.
We have seen above that two clocks located in different gravitational
potentials will not show the same difference of clock displays during
the same real time interval. We will see now that quantum mechanics
also predicts that clock rates are different when these clocks are
carried in frames having different kinetic energy. We might assume that
the relativistic correction could be made simply by taking into account
the increase of electron mass due to the addition of kinetic energy,
but this correction is too simple and incomplete (as we will see in
sections 2.8 and 2.9) and disregards the need to consider the transfer
of internal excitation energy between systems. In order to be able to
calculate relative clock rates, we must first find the relationship
between the excitation energy of atoms in frames having different
velocities.
2.4 - Description of the
Reference Meter.
The standard definition of length uses a unit called the "meter". In
order to be coherent, we must define the meter in a way that can be
reproduced in any frame. It is generally believed in physics that one
can transfer, without any change of length, a standard meter from the
rest frame to the moving frame. This is wrong because this is not
compatible with the principle of mass-energy conservation and with
quantum mechanics. When kinetic energy (or potential energy) is added
to or removed from a rod, the electron mass and the Bohr radius change
as required by the principle of mass-energy conservation. Consequently,
the length of a rod will not be the same in frames having different
velocities. The change of length of a standard rod which is one meter
long in an initial frame can be calculated considering its kinetic and
potential energies.
Even the
most
fundamental definition of the meter (which is 1/299 792 458 of the
distance traveled by light in one second) suffers from the same error
since it requires the use of the unit of time and since the "apparent
second" in the moving frame (DCD(S)[mov]) is
different from the "apparent second" in the rest frame (DCD(S)[rest])
due to the change of mass of the electrons in the atomic clock carried
by the moving system. Consequently, to be able to compare lengths in
different frames, we must complete the international definition of the
reference meter and state its potential and kinetic energies.
We definehere
that
the length of the reference meter corresponds to 1/299 792 458 of
the distance traveled by light during one second on a clock
located at rest in outer space, far away from the Sun.
2.5 - Definition of the
Velocity of Light.
We want to point out that none of the above definitions depends on the
experimental measurement of the velocity of light. The value of the
parameter c is defined in equation 1.3 from the fundamental concept
requiring an absolute constant K of proportionality between mass and
energy:
However, it has been observed experimentally that the value of K is
equal to the square of what is interpreted to be the velocity of light.
Whatever c is, for practical reasons, we define it as:
 |
2.4 |
Everywhere in this book, the meaning of c is fundamentally bound to
equation 2.4. We believe that the fact that the velocity of light is
equal to the square root of the constant K in the mass-energy
relationship is not just a coincidence and results from a fundamental
mechanism. However, it is very likely that the best method of measuring
the mass-energy constant K is through the measurement of c.
2.6 - Need of Parameters
with a Double Index.
From the above description, we realize that the observer's frame is
submitted to several particular conditions like its gravitational
potential and kinetic energies. However, an observer moving with his
clock cannot measure the change of clock rate because all phenomena in
the moving frame, including the clock rate, change in the same
proportion.
The same can
be said of
masses. When an observer and some masses move at an identical velocity,
the values of the masses (as measured by the observer inside the moving
system) are indistinguishable from the values obtained before the
common change of velocity. After claiming that a mass increases with
velocity with respect to an observer at rest, it would be incoherent to
claim that the same mass does not increase when the observer moves with
it.
In order to
make a clear and
coherent description, one must use a suitable notation which gives a
complete description of the units used. To do this, two independent
indexes are necessary. The first index indicates the units used for the
measurement. For example, we can measure the length of an object either
with respect to a reference meter at rest or with respect to a moving
meter. It must be realized that the reference meter at rest is a unit
that has a different length than the same reference meter in motion. It
is almost like using inches instead of centimeters. When we measure a
length l and a mass m using the units of length and mass issued
from the system at rest, the length is represented by l[rest]
and the mass is represented by m[rest]. When we measure lengths and
masses using the units of the system in motion, we represent the length
by l[mov] and the mass by m[mov]. The indexes [rest] and [mov]
do not tell us whether the mass is moving or not. They only tell us
what units are used.
The second
index indicates the state of motion of the system on which parameters
(like length or mass) are measured. We describe the frame in which the
particle is located using the subscript "v" when the particle is moving
and the subscript "s" when the particle is stationary. For example, the
mass of a stationary particle (using units of the rest frame) is
represented by ms[rest] and the mass of a moving particle
(using units of the rest frame), by mv[rest]. According to
relativity, we must write:
Similarly,
the mass of a moving particle measured using moving units is
represented by mv[mov] and the mass of a stationary particle
measured using moving units is represented by ms[mov].
Consequently, the number of kilograms in ms[rest] is
identical to the number in mv[mov] because they are both
measured using proper parameters. However, the mass ms[rest]
is different from mv[rest] as seen in equation 2.5.
The number "n" of meters of a rod does not change when the rod is moved
to another frame as long as we measure proper values (number of proper
meters). Then ns equals nv. However, the
distance between the atoms changes. Since the interatomic distance a
changes when a physical body is moved to another frame, the number of
atoms Ns along a length of one meter[rest] in a stationary
rod is different from the number of atoms Nv
along the same length (one meter[rest]) when the rod is in motion at
velocity v. Therefore when measuring the same absolute constant length
in two frames we find:
 |
2.6 |
Of course,
the indexes [rest] and [mov] are irrelevant with the numbers ns,
nv, Ns and Nv because they are pure
numbers.
The fundamental importance of the necessity of using a double index
must not be underestimated because relativity cannot be explained
properly without it. This is a consequence of having different units of
mass and length in different frames. These double indices are
irrelevant in Newtonian mechanics. In principle, a third index could be
added giving the information about the gravitational potential energy.
This third parameter will be considered separately.
2.7 - Apparent Lack of
Compatibility for Fast Moving Particles.
When a body is accelerated, its mass increases according to the
relationship given by equation 2.5. Therefore fast moving atoms possess
more massive electrons. Using the Bohr equation, let us calculate the
consequences of a heavier electron in the case of the hydrogen atom.
When the
electron mass is larger and no other parameter is taken into
account,
then according to the Bohr equation (equation 1.12), all the atomic
energy levels should have more energy (equation 1.13). Consequently,
since E = hn, the atoms formed with those
heavier electrons should emit electromagnetic radiation at a higher
frequency n.
This means that an atomic clock located in the moving frame should run
at a higher rate. However, we know from experiments that fast moving
particles disintegrate at a slower rate and atoms emit a lower
frequency. This has been clearly observed in the muon's and
spectroscopic experiments. We conclude that the increase of electron
mass that causes atoms to disintegrate at a higher rate in a
gravitational potential does not appear to be compatible
with the slower rate of disintegration of fast moving muons. This
apparent contradiction is a very serious problem that requires a more
careful study. Using the principle of mass-energy conservation, we will
solve that problem by showing that one important parameter has been
ignored.
In the next
section, we
will consider solely experiments in which the gravitational potential
energy is always constant. This corresponds to the study of special
relativity. Only the velocity (and therefore the kinetic energy) will
change. The problem of combining gravitational potential energy with
kinetic energy will be studied in chapters five and six.
2.8 - Demonstration of the
Energy Relationship between Systems.
Let us
consider a stationary particle Mso
where the index s stands for stationary and the index o means that the
particle is in its ground state of internal excitation. That particle
can be a single hydrogen atom. When accelerated to a velocity v, its
mass becomes:
| Mvo[rest] = gMso[rest] |
2.7 |
where the
index v means that the particle has a velocity v.
Let us
consider that an internal energy of excitation Exs[rest] is
given to that particle before its acceleration. The index x refers to
internal excitation energy. The total mass Msxt[rest] of the
stationary excited atom is then:
 |
2.8 |
where the index t refers to the total mass-energy which includes rest
mass, internal and kinetic energies when relevant. From equation 2.8,
we calculate that the internal excitation energy Exs[rest]
alone has a mass-equivalent Mxs[rest] given by:
 |
2.9 |
where hns[rest] is the
energy Exs measured using the units of time and length of
the rest frame. Equations 2.8 and 2.9 give:
| Msxt = Mso[rest]+Mxs[rest] |
2.10 |
The particle
of mass Msxt can emit its energy of excitation according to
equation 2.9. When that particle (Msxt) is accelerated to a
velocity v, its mass becomes Mvxt which is g times its mass at rest as given by equation
2.5. This gives:
| Mvxt[rest] = gMsxt[rest] |
2.11 |
Putting 2.10
in 2.11 gives:
| Mvxt[rest] = gMso[rest]+gMxs[rest] |
2.12 |
If the particle does not possess any internal energy, then the second
term of equation 2.12 vanishes and we get equation 2.7. Putting
equation 2.7 in 2.12, we have:
| Mvxt[rest] = Mvo[rest]+gMxs[rest] |
2.13 |
Equations
2.13 and 2.9 give:
 |
2.14 |
Equation
2.13 shows that the velocity of the excited particle leads to the mass
component Mvo[rest]. The second term gMxs[rest]
gives
the mass-energy equivalent of the excitation energy of the moving
particle. This term is composed of the mass equivalent of the
excitation energy of the particle (which is hns/c2[rest]) and of the
energy required to accelerate it (given by g).
From
equations 2.13 and 2.14, we see that the principle of mass-energy
conservation requires that the total energy of excitation combined with
the energy necessary to accelerate that energy of excitation (or its
mass equivalent) give:
| En(Excit.+acceleration of excit.) = gMxsc2[rest] = ghns[rest] |
2.15 |
Equation 2.15 gives the total energy [rest] that the excited moving
atom must lose (by emission of a photon) to go to its ground state.
However, when the observer moves with the excited atom and uses rest
units, he will deduce from his measurements a frequency nv[rest] from
which he will naturally decide that the energy of internal excitation
is hnv[rest].
Therefore:
| En[rest](emitted) = hnv[rest] |
2.16 |
The energy that was required to accelerate the mass-equivalent of that
excitation energy may appear irrelevant to the moving observer.
However, due to mass-energy conservation, that energy cannot disappear
and be ignored. According to the principle of mass-energy conservation,
since no other photon is emitted during the transition, the emitted
photon must possess all the energy available which includes the energy
of excitation plus the kinetic energy of the mass equivalent of that
excitation energy.
Using the
same
units, it is clear that the total energy of equation 2.15 (excitation
plus the energy required to accelerate the mass-equivalent of the
energy of excitation) is equal to the energy of the photon received
during the de-excitation by the observer at rest (equation 2.16). This
gives:
| gMxsc2[rest] = ghns[rest]
=
hnv[rest] |
2.17 |
In equation
2.17, we have the Planck parameter h that comes from the measurement of
hns
in a stationary frame. We also have the Planck parameter h that comes
from a measurement of hnv
in the moving frame (always using the same common units [rest]). In
order to be coherent and since the Planck parameter comes from
measurements from different frames, we must individually label each
Planck parameter. Equation 2.17 becomes:
| ghsns[rest]
=
hvnv[rest] |
2.18 |
Equation
2.18 is an important relationship that must be applied when the energy
of excitation is given a new velocity.
2.9 - Relative Frequencies
between Systems.
In order to
solve equation 2.18, we need to find a relationship between ns[rest] and nv[rest]. Let
us consider an electromagnetic wave of frequency nv[rest]
emitted by an atom having a velocity v. That electromagnetic wave is
measured by an observer in the rest frame. When the measurement of the
frequency is made, he must consider two different phenomena that might
change the frequency due to the velocity of the emitting atom. The
first one is the change of clock rate of the emitter and the second is
the classical Doppler effect due to the radial velocity between the
stationary source of radiation and the moving observer.
Let us study those two effects separately starting with the classical
Doppler effect. In order to avoid the problem, let us suppose
that the
moving emitter of radiation is traveling at a velocity v, in a
direction perpendicular to the direction of emission of light.
The
observer at rest, receives the radiation at a frequency ns[rest], which is identical to the frequency emitted nv[rest]
when using the same units. Consequently, the Doppler effect can
be
eliminated, and there is then no change of frequency due to the light
emitted from a moving frame. Since we use constant units [rest] and there is no Doppler correction, the
frequency ns[rest]
received in the [rest] frame is identical to the frequency emitted nv[rest] in the moving frame. We have:
The
second phenomenon is due to the slower rate of emission of light on
the moving frame due to the increase of electron mass with kinetic
energy. We explain now this physical phenomenon in more detail.
Physical Phenomenon Explained.
The
physical phenomenon involved can be seen when we compare equations
2.8 and 2.14 Equation 2.8 gives the total amount of mass-energy
of the
stationary excited particle Msxt [rest],
as
a function of its mass "in the ground state" plus its "excitation
energy". The excitation energy in the stationary frame is
 |
2.20 |
After
the acceleration of the internally excited particle, we find
equation 2.14 We see in equation 2.14, that the mass term Mvo[rest] has increased g times
(see eq. 2.7), and also the new energy term g(hsns/c2)[rest] is g times larger. This is certainly expected
from the principle of mass-energy conservation. The g term
appears equally in the energy term, because we have taken into
account the energy required to accelerate the energy of the excited
state. This
last energy term predicts the extra energy of an eventual re-emitted
photon. Furthermore, we know that in the moving frame, particles
always emit at a slower rate, just as all clocks in the moving frame
run at a slower rate, because of the increase of the electron mass in
atoms.
Consequently,
the
excitation energy (gExs/c2)[rest] of the atom
which has now been carried into the moving frame, will be emitted at a
rate which is g times slower
than on the rest frame.
Let
us find a relationship to calculate the frequency of a photon
emitted from an excited state of an atom in a moving frame, with
respect to the frequency of the same atom, when it is located in a rest
frame. We have seen that after the atom is accelerated to the
moving
frame, its excitation energy becomes ghsns/c2[rest]
(eq. 2.14). When that same excitation energy is transformed into
a
photon, the frequency of the emitted photon is given by the
relationship (hvnv/c2
[rest]) (eq. 2.21) due to the slower clock rate in that moving
frame.
Therefore, depending on its frame, the excitation energy of the same
atom appears as:
 |
2.21 |
Combining
equation 2.21 and 2.19, we get
| hv[rest] = ghs[rest] |
2.22 |
Equation 2.22 means that when we use the Planck parameter h to
determine the energy in a moving system, we must make a correction (g) because of the kinetic energy of the
equivalent mass of the excitation energy hvnv[rest]. This is the relationship necessary to transform
excitation energies between frames.
We must
notice that the change of the Planck constant by g
in equation 2.22 is not apparent to the observers inside the moving
frame or inside the rest frame when the measure internal values.
This
phenomenon appears only when an observer calculates the photon energy
of atoms in an external frame, with respect to the excitations energy
of atoms that has moved from the rest frame to that external
frame.
The reason for that phenomenon is because the internal structure of the
atom carried to a moving frame, becomes modified due to the change of
kinetic energy. The atom retransmits all its internal excitation
energy using a lower frequency, but of course, using a longer time of
coherence for the re-emitted radiation. In fact, the re-emitted
photon
is different because the clock rate of that emitting atom is different.
Equation 2.22 is the relationship we were looking for in section 2.1.
It is, for energy, the relationship equivalent to the mass-energy
conservation principle:
| mv[rest] = gms[rest] |
2.23 |
Equation 2.22 is a relationship previously ignored. However this
equation, which is required by the principle of mass-energy
conservation, is absolutely necessary when treating problems dealing
with a change of kinetic energy. We will see in chapter three how
equation 2.22 allows us to solve the apparent contradiction described
in section 2.7.
2.10 - Cases of Relevance of the Relationship hv=ghs.
We
must notice that equation 2.22 (hv[rest]
=
ghs[rest])
results from the fact that the internal excitation energy of particles
(that has a mass equivalent) acquires a velocity v that produces an
increase of mass-energy equivalent. However, in the case of a change of
gravitational potential energy, as seen in chapter one, the
mass-equivalent of the internal excitation energy has no kinetic energy
since it has no velocity. Therefore in the case of potential energy,
the relationships (hv[rest] = ghs[rest]) and mv[rest] = gms[rest] are irrelevant since g
= 1 when v = 0. In the case of gravitational potential, the changes of
energy and length are given by equation 1.22 in chapter one. Let us
finally note that the relationship hv[rest]
=
ghs[rest]
is absolutely necessary to satisfy the principle of invariance of
physical laws in any frame of reference as will be seen in the rest of
this book.
2.11 - Symbols and
Variables.
| DCDframe |
difference of clock displays on a clock
located in a frame |
| DCD(S)[mov] |
DCD for the
apparent second in the moving frame |
| DCD(S)[rest] |
DCD
corresponding to the apparent second in the rest frame |
| Exs[rest] |
energy of excitation given at rest in rest
units |
| hs[rest] |
Planck parameter on the rest frame in rest
units |
| hv[rest] |
Planck parameter on the frame in motion in
rest units |
| ms[rest] |
mass of an object at rest in rest units |
| Mso[rest] |
mass of a particle at rest in its ground
state in rest units |
| Mxs[rest] |
mass of the excitation energy of a particle
at rest in rest units |
| Msxt[rest] |
total mass of a particle at rest in its
excited state in rest units |
| mv[rest] |
mass of an object moving at velocity v in
rest units |
| Mvo[rest] |
mass of a particle in motion in its ground
state in rest units |
| Mvxt[rest] |
total mass of a particle in motion in its
excited state [rest units] |
| ns[rest] |
frequency of light measured by an observer
at rest in rest units |
| nv[rest] |
frequency of light measured by a moving
observer in rest units |