Relativistic Doppler Effect and the Misunderstandings of Special Theory of Relativity

829 Words2 Pages

The present paper discusses the relativistic Doppler effect and tries to found misunderstandings in the present state of the Special theory of relativity. The author's conclusion that he found some “blue shift” which contradicts with time dilation is wrong. The weakest feature of the paper is that although the formulas, presented by authors, are in general correct, but they do not support the conclusions the author extract from them, and mistake is hidden in the interpretation. Let's focus on the plane waves. In general, the transverse Doppler effect, as it is studied in the available literature, means that an observer (let's call him the 1st observer), that receive an electromagnetic wave from a distant source, moving relative to the observer, will measure the wave frequency ν'=ν/γ, where γ=1/(sqrt(1-β²)), β²=u²/c², provided that the angle between the wave direction and the vector of the motion of the source, measured by the observer, is equal to π/2 (α'=π/2). So the light from moving source is red-shifted. It is generally treated as a pure effect of the special theory of relativity, and is due to the time dilation. Indeed, the observer can treat the wave crests as a clock, and the decrease of it's frequency is the actual time dilation. This effect is called as pure relativistic, as it is absent in the classical theory. It is quite clear and well-known fact in the special relativity. Note, that the distance between source and the 1st observer does not change in time, while being measured by the 1st observer. All the issues, raised by the author, are due to the fact, that the author decided not to use α', but α as an angle, that is equal to π/2, in order to define transverse Doppler effect. It is obvious, that α is the angle b... ... middle of paper ... ... relativity the simultaneousness is also relative. It is clear, that in case of uniform linear motion the time derivative of the distance between two objects is equal to 0 only once in time, at different time two objects either converge or move away. And in case of non-inertial reference frames, the special relativity is not applicable at all. Let me also comment on the example with spherical ways. The example should be treated with care, as the reference frame on the rim of the disk is non-inertial. The General relativity can handle this case correctly, this it is ok. But simplified direct conclusions from this example should not be extracted. And it will not help with our case with plane waves and inertial reference frames. To sum up: In my opinion the points raised by the author, are not correct. Therefore, I would not recommend it for publication in Plos One.

More about Relativistic Doppler Effect and the Misunderstandings of Special Theory of Relativity

Open Document