New derivation of special relativity without assumption of constant speed of light

• Published in: Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Journal of Zhejiang University. Sciences edition. Li xue ban Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 247 - 252
• Main Authors: Dai, Youshan, Song, Xiaotong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Zhejiang University Press 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Abandonment; Constants; Derivation; Formulations; Invariants; Lorentz transformations; Relativity; Transformations; 光速不变原理; 狭义相对论; 相对论动力学; 质能关系; 质速关系
• ISSN: 1008-9497
• DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-9497.2016.02.022

Traditionally, special relativity is formulated through a derivation of the space-time Lorentz transformation based on the assumption that the speed of light is invariant. Einstein's famous mass-energy relation can be deduced from the Lorentz transformation, combined with the principle of relativity as well as the relevant conservation laws. This work abandons the unnecessary assumption of a constant speed of light, and proves that the proportionality between the relativistic energy and the moving mass does not rely on Lorentz transformation or any other specific form of space-time transformation. We demonstrate with two-body particle decay following directly from the principle of relativity and the conservation of energy and momentum. Therefore, we present a novel and more general formulation of special relativity without assuming a constant speed of light and the existence of massless particles. In this new formulation, a universal speed limit v sub(m) naturally emerges with no specific regard to the propag