Is there any experimental evidence against preferred frame?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of a preferred frame of reference in the context of relativity theory, highlighting the historical perspectives of Newton, Poincare, Lorentz, and Einstein. The Michelson-Morley experiment is cited as a pivotal piece of evidence against the existence of a preferred frame, although the conversation acknowledges that interpretations of relativity can still accommodate such a frame philosophically. The consensus is that while experimental evidence exists, it does not address philosophical interpretations, leading to the conclusion that no definitive experimental evidence can disprove philosophical approaches to relativity.

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  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Familiarity with the Michelson-Morley experiment
  • Knowledge of Lorentz transformations
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SpiderET
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Newton, Poincare, Lorentz and Einstein (around 1921) believed that there is a preferred frame of reference. Einstein changed his mind when he saw that he is going against mainstream. Michaelson Morley experiment and subsequent experiments are regarded by most people as proof that there is no preferred frame or reference, but this is a question of philosophical approach to relativity theory, because you can regard contraction and time dilation relative to preferred frame of reference and equotations are still the same.
General relativity is still non Machian theory, which is regarded as shortcoming by some, but most physicist don't understand what does it mean and generally don't care.
So, after short intro, here comes the question: Is there any obvious and clear evidence which is proving that there is no preferred frame of reference?
 
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SpiderET said:
this is a question of philosophical approach to relativity theory
There is and can be no experimental evidence of philosophical approaches. We don't discuss philosophy here.

thread closed.

See also https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-is-the-pfs-policy-on-lorentz-ether-theory-and-block-universe.772224/
 
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