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Lorentz Transformation and the Thomas Precession

1955; American Institute of Physics; Volume: 23; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1119/1.1934085

1943-2909

W. H. Furry,

Mathematics and Applications

The various kinematic effects of special relativity are here treated by considering iterations of the infinitesimal Lorentz transformation. There is only one relativistic effect that appears as a difference between an infinitesimal Lorentz transformation and the corresponding infinitesimal Galilei transformation; this effect is the relative character of simultaneity. When this has been introduced by a physical argument (following Einstein), finite transformations and the other effects are obtained by iteration. Special attention is given to an iteration procedure that reveals the existence of the Thomas precession.