Doppler Effect and absolute simultaneity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the Doppler shift formula and absolute simultaneity in different inertial reference frames, specifically frames I and I'. The Doppler factor, represented as D, is crucial in establishing that events simultaneous in one frame are also simultaneous in another when they occur at the same spatial point. The equations derived, including t_S(I) = γ(1 + v/c)t_S(R) and τ(I)(r) = Dτ(R)(e), demonstrate that the synchronization of clocks using the "everyday clock" method aligns with the principles of absolute simultaneity. This analysis suggests that absolute simultaneity can be explained through the Doppler effect, particularly in the context of Selleri's approach.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Doppler shift formula and its applications
  • Familiarity with inertial reference frames in physics
  • Knowledge of synchronization methods for clocks, specifically the "everyday clock" synchronization
  • Basic grasp of relativistic time dilation and the Lorentz factor (γ)
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of the Doppler effect in various physical scenarios
  • Study the concept of simultaneity in special relativity and its philosophical implications
  • Investigate Selleri's approach to simultaneity and its mathematical foundations
  • Learn about the practical applications of the "everyday clock" synchronization method in experimental physics
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Physicists, students of relativity, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of time and simultaneity in the context of special relativity.

bernhard.rothenstein
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The Doppler shift formula relates two proper time intervals measured in I and I' respectovely
(tau)=D(tau)'
D representing a Doppler factor that depends on the relative speed of I and I'. By definition the events involved in I and I' respectively take place at the same point in space. If the two involved events are simultaneous say in I they are simultaneous in I' as well and vice-versa.
The time intervals measured by clocks synchronized using the "everyday clock" synchronization procedure are related by a Doppler shift like formula. Could that be an explanation of the absolute simultaneity: two events simultaneous say in I and taking place at the same point in space are simultaneous in all inertial reference frames.
We find the same situation in the case of Selleri's approach.
 
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bernhard.rothenstein said:
The Doppler shift formula relates two proper time intervals measured in I and I' respectovely
(tau)=D(tau)'
D representing a Doppler factor that depends on the relative speed of I and I'. By definition the events involved in I and I' respectively take place at the same point in space. If the two involved events are simultaneous say in I they are simultaneous in I' as well and vice-versa. The time intervals measured by clocks synchronized using the "everyday clock" synchronization procedure are related by a Doppler shift like formula.
If you look at the absolute simultaneity equation for "left-to-right" Leubner coords

t_S(I) = \gamma \left(1 + \frac{v}{c} \right) t_S(R)​

which I obtained in this post, you will see that

\gamma \left(1 + \frac{v}{c} \right) = \sqrt{\frac{1 + \frac{v}{c}}{1 - \frac{v}{c}}} = D​

which is precisely the doppler factor between the frames I and R. This is no coincidence.

Imagine light being sent event e at the origin of the R frame at time

t_S(R)(e) = \tau(R)(e)...(1)​

(remember Einstein-time, Leubner-time and proper time are all the same at the spatial origin).

It is received event r at the origin of the I frame at time

t_S(I)(r) = \tau(I)(r)...(2)​

But because of the way S-time is defined we must have

t_S(I)(r) = t_S(I)(e) ...(3) and
t_S(R)(r) = t_S(R)(e) ...(4)​

Combining (1) with (4), and (2) with (3), and using the doppler equation

\tau(I)(r) = D \tau(R)(e)​

we get

t_S(I)(e) = D t_S(R)(e) and
t_S(I)(r) = D t_S(R)(r)​

the same absolute simultaneity equation (evaluated at both events e and r) as before.

bernhard.rothenstein said:
Could that be an explanation of the absolute simultaneity: two events simultaneous say in I and taking place at the same point in space are simultaneous in all inertial reference frames. We find the same situation in the case of Selleri's approach.
I don't really understand this. The general absolute simultaneity equation

t_S(I) = a(I) t_S(R)...(A)​

is measuring the same event in two different coord systems I and R, whereas the doppler shift equation

t_S(I)(r) = \tau(I)(r) = D \tau(R)(e) = t_S(R)(e)​

is measuring two different events e and r in (effectively) two different coords systems I and R. It's only in Leubner coords we can link the two.

(NOTE: the absolute simultaneity equation (A) could also be written

\frac{\partial t_S(I)}{\partial x_s(R)} = 0​
 
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