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grav-universe
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LET, Lorentz ether theory, is identical to SR but invokes an ether as the cause of length contraction and time dilation with motion through the ether. With it, there are no strange conceptualizations according to each observer's own particular reality for what they observe of other frames, but measurements just work out naturally with a physical shortening of lengths in the direction of motion and a physical slowing of clocks, both on the order of sqrt[1 - (v/c)^2] with motion relative to the ether frame. This is much easier for classical thinkers to conceive since it provides a mechanism by which length contraction and time dilation take place while producing exactly the same predictions as SR. The same simultaneity issues and Lorentz transformations also arise if observers in each frame synchronize their clocks according to the Einstein simultaneity convention. The only problem is that a physical shortening of rulers and slowing of clocks by sqrt[1 - (v/c)^2] causes observers in every frame to view each other identically and also provides the same physics in every frame, which is a plus, but renders the ether as undetectable by any useful relative measurements of motion, so no one frame can conclude that they are at absolute rest with the ether. With no way to detect the ether, many say we might as well drop it altogether, resulting in SR, but then we would have no mechanism by which length contraction and time dilation can actually physically take place, leaving just some strange distorted concept of reality from each observer's own point of view. Simply extending SR to GR, however, quickly brings back some idea about the fabric of space-time, whereas gravity is considered to be the warping of the fabric of space-time. But whether it is called universal pressure, vacuum energy, ether, the fabric of space-time, etc, a rose by any other name...
Okay, so this is what I want to find out. We all know that LET is mathematically equivalent to SR. The question is, is the concept of an ether equivalent to that of the fabric of space-time? I have stated my own view on the matter and explained why I think so. Please choose one of the following and explain your answer.
A) The concept of an ether and that of the fabric of space-time are the same thing.
B) The fabric of space-time exists but an ether does not. Please explain the difference.
C) Neither the fabric of space-time nor an ether really exist. Please explain why.
Okay, so this is what I want to find out. We all know that LET is mathematically equivalent to SR. The question is, is the concept of an ether equivalent to that of the fabric of space-time? I have stated my own view on the matter and explained why I think so. Please choose one of the following and explain your answer.
A) The concept of an ether and that of the fabric of space-time are the same thing.
B) The fabric of space-time exists but an ether does not. Please explain the difference.
C) Neither the fabric of space-time nor an ether really exist. Please explain why.