What are the key postulates for developing Einstein's relativity theory?

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SUMMARY

Einstein's theory of relativity is founded on two essential postulates: the principle of relativity and the absence of instantaneous interaction. These principles allow for the development of relativity in arbitrary dimensions, contrary to the common assumption that it is limited to 3+1 dimensions. The discussion references Landau's "The Classical Theory of Fields" and highlights the importance of understanding that light is not fundamental to the theory, as the maximum signal velocity applies universally.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's 1905 postulates
  • Familiarity with Landau's "The Classical Theory of Fields"
  • Knowledge of axiomatic systems in physics
  • Basic concepts of dimensional analysis in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the axiomatic system outlined in the provided link to understand postulates L1-L5
  • Read Landau's "The Classical Theory of Fields" for deeper insights into his postulates
  • Explore the implications of maximum signal velocity in various dimensions
  • Investigate the relationship between light and relativity in different physical contexts
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Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of relativity and its applications across different dimensions.

wdlang
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i am now reading the book by landau

'the classical theory of fields'

it seems that to develop the relativity theory of einstein, only two postulates are needed

the first one is relativity

the second is no instantaneous interaction

therefore, einstein's theory can be developed in an arbitrary dimension
 
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wdlang said:
i am now reading the book by landau

'the classical theory of fields'

it seems that to develop the relativity theory of einstein, only two postulates are needed

the first one is relativity

the second is no instantaneous interaction

therefore, einstein's theory can be developed in an arbitrary dimension

There are lots of axiomatic systems that you can use to derive relativity. The one I prefer is the one given here http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/genrel/ch02/ch02.html#Section2.2 (statements L1-L5). I'd be interested in hearing more about Landau's system. Can you state the two postulates he uses in more detail?

If I'm understanding you correctly, I think you're saying that you'd been assuming, before seeing Landau's treatment, that relativity only works in 3+1 dimensions. I guess that's true if you start from Einstein's 1905 postulates, since Maxwell's equations are explicitly 3+1-dimensional. But light isn't really fundamental to relativity. The postulates L1-L5 in the system I linked to above work in any number of spatial dimensions.
 
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bcrowell said:
There are lots of axiomatic systems that you can use to derive relativity. The one I prefer is the one given here http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/genrel/ch02/ch02.html#Section2.2 (statements L1-L5). I'd be interested in hearing more about Landau's system. Can you state the two postulates he uses in more detail?

If I'm understanding you correctly, I think you're saying that you'd been assuming, before seeing Landau's treatment, that relativity only works in 3+1 dimensions. I guess that's true if you start from Einstein's 1905 postulates, since Maxwell's equations are explicitly 3+1-dimensional. But light isn't really fundamental to relativity. The postulates L1-L5 in the system I linked to above work in any number of spatial dimensions.

yes, light isn't really fundamental to relativity

That is the biggest lesson i learn from landau's book

landau states that there is no instantaneous interaction and there is a maximum velocity for any signal. This velocity happens to be the light velocity in 3+1 dims
 
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