A theory by Einstein to fix the messiness of Maxwell’s Equations in moving Inertial Reference Frames under Galilean Transformations, i.e. Lorentz Transformations
Abstract
- Light does not require a medium
- All laws of physics are the same in all Intertial Reference Frames
The Paper
The full contents of his paper
- Light does not require a medium; waves could be fundamental just a particles are. This is his “0th” point because it is not made as a primary postulate but is neccessary for the rest to follow
- The Principal of Relativity
- All law of physics (emphasis on Maxwell’s Equations) are the same in all Inertial Reference Frames.
There is no way to detect absolute motion No preferred inertial system exists. Constant speed of light (See No. 2)
- The Speed of Light is constant (in a vacuum)
- This is implied by the previous point due to Maxwell’s Equations being the same in all Inertial Reference Frames
Implications
- Constant Speed of Light
- Explains Michelson-Morley Experiment null results
- Time Dilation
- Contradicts Galilean Transformation shared time
- Length Contraction
- Relativistic Momentum
- Relativistic Energy