Andrew Wutke

This is a scanned draft of my very early work, not completed due to the loss of the original electronic version. The gravitational constant G has been a subject of interest for more than two centuries. Precise measurements indicate that it is equal to 6.673(10)xl0-11 m^3/kgs^2, with relative standard uncertainty of 1.5x10-3. The need for such constant is discussed. Various systems of units of measure have emerged since Newton, and none of them is both practical, and useful in theoretical research. The relevance of a metric system that only has length and time as base units is analysed, and such system proposed. As a result, much higher clarity of physical quantities is achieved. The gravitational and electric constants can be eliminated to become non-dimensional, which results in elimination of the kilogram of mass and the Coulomb of charge in favour of the same composite unit for both physical quantities being m^3/s^2. The system offers a great advantage to General Relativity where only space-time units can be used.

This paper presents the proof of the apparent nature of relative simultaneity originally derived from Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity (STR). The proof does not challenge the validity of the STR but uncovers fundamental and widespread error in understanding of practical implications of Lorentz transformations. It is demonstrated that more than a century long debates generally miss the point. This results in counterintuitive claims of coexisting multiple time realities by mere equivalence of equal clock indications and simultaneity. Such claims have little empirical significance but they are substantial in education and philosophy which has become utterly confused after universal acceptance of the STR and rejections of Henri Bergson’s challenge. There is nothing more to “relative simultaneity” other than the effect of identical clocks being shifted by an offset which depends on synchronisation method.

This paper presents an attempt to define temporal coincidence starting from the first principles. The temporal coincidence defined here differs from Einstein’s simultaneity for it is invariant across inertial frames - not relative. The meaning and significance of temporal coincidence is derived from axioms of existence and it somehow relates to Kant’s notion of simultaneity. Consistentl y applied to the Special Theory of Relativity framework, temporal coincidence does not in any way create mathematical contradictions; however it allows looking at some common relativity claims with a dose of scepticism. Time, as derived from Lorentz transformations, appears to be conventional in order to match the postulate of constancy of the speed of light. The relative simultaneity is only apparent due to that convention. There are insufficient grounds to claim that inertial systems moving relatively to each other have their own different temporal realities. Overall, the innate temporal logic we have is not erroneous and does not need to be replaced contrary to the claims of some relativity educators.