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Volume 2: Pages 217-222, 1991

Why Physics Cannot Assume the Relativity of Motion or an Infinite Universe: Problems with Special and General Relativity

Donna Sutliff

School of Arts & Sciences, SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica‐Rome, Utica, New York 13504 U.S.A.

It is argued that the assumption of the relativity of motion in special relativity also implies that the universe is infinite; yet the conclusions of special and general relativity deny these assumptions. For this reason, special and general relativity are intrinsically inconsistent. Moreover, it is shown on mathematical grounds that an infinite universe cannot be assumed by physics because of the power of the continuum, rendering Einstein\\\'s derivation of the Lorentz transformations invalid, and why an alternative method of deriving transformation equations should be sought. Alternative transformation equations are presented without making the relativity assumption. It is also shown that Einstein\\\'s derivation of the Lorentz transformation was the reciprocal, which he didn\\\'t realize, and explained further why the moving unit of measurement must expand, not contract.

Keywords: the Lorentz transformation, special relativity, Cantor, Galilean relativity, the power of the continuum, an infinite universe, Einstein\\\'s algebraic mistake, time dilation, length contraction

Received: March 23, 1990; Final version received: December 15, 2008