A Newtonian Alternative To Special Relativity

We show that the special theory of relativity (SR) is fundamentally inviable because its: (i) postulates are traceable to Newton’s Corollary V, in which time and mass invariance are implicit, (ii) experimental design of observer and apparatus in separate frames is non-inertial, and (iii) time dilation formulation is ambiguous for rotations and clock types; replacing the light clock with a sonar clock leads to an unlikely upper speed limit and an alternate set of time dilations.

Further, we present compelling Newtonian interpretations for experiments believed to support SR. Rossi’s high-altitude experiments reveal µ-meson flight speeds of up to 20 c, and contradict SR’s universal speed limit concept. The speed-limited E-field and spiral H-field trajectories of electrons are explained by augmenting the Lorentz force with a radiation damping force. (with α being phenomological proportinality constant)

F = [eE + e v x B] - [e/c) (v·E ) E /|E | + e α (B x v x B)/|B | ]

In the above model, an electron in an E-field reaches a terminal velocity of c when its Lorentz motive and radiation damping forces are equally opposed. The spiral trajectories of charged particles in H-fields are due to the progressive radiation dampening of their tangential velocities while their Lawrence cyclotron frequencies remain constant. The remarkable experiments of Ives and Stillwell, and of Kundig are re-interpreted as being due to impulsive momentum transfer to photons emitted from accelerating molecules or nuclei. The Compton effect, too, is classically formulated and compared with experiment.

Consequently, Newton’s laws alone are sufficient to fully explain the experimental data that are now believed to support SR.