Sound Clocks and Sonic Relativity

Foundations of Physics 47 (10):1267-1293 (2017)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Sound propagation within certain non-relativistic condensed matter models obeys a relativistic wave equation despite such systems admitting entirely non-relativistic descriptions. A natural question that arises upon consideration of this is, “do devices exist that will experience the relativity in these systems?” We describe a thought experiment in which ‘acoustic observers’ possess devices called sound clocks that can be connected to form chains. Careful investigation shows that appropriately constructed chains of stationary and moving sound clocks are perceived by observers on the other chain as undergoing the relativistic phenomena of length contraction and time dilation by the Lorentz factor, \, with \ the speed of sound. Sound clocks within moving chains actually tick less frequently than stationary ones and must be separated by a shorter distance than when stationary to satisfy simultaneity conditions. Stationary sound clocks appear to be length contracted and time dilated to moving observers due to their misunderstanding of their own state of motion with respect to the laboratory. Observers restricted to using sound clocks describe a universe kinematically consistent with the theory of special relativity, despite the preferred frame of their universe in the laboratory. Such devices show promise in further probing analogue relativity models, for example in investigating phenomena that require careful consideration of the proper time elapsed for observers.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,593

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Interaction, not gravitation.Richard Schlegel - 1976 - Foundations of Physics 6 (4):435-438.
Was Newton right after all?Irving F. Laucks - 1959 - Philosophy of Science 26 (3):229-239.
Physical Time and Thermal Clocks.Claudio Borghi - 2016 - Foundations of Physics 46 (10):1374-1379.
Flavour-oscillation clocks and the geometricity of general relativity.Eleanor Knox - 2010 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 61 (2):433-452.
The Pioneer Anomaly as Acceleration of the Clocks.Antonio F. Rañada - 2004 - Foundations of Physics 34 (12):1955-1971.
A Real Lorentz-FitzGerald Contraction.Carlos Barceló & Gil Jannes - 2008 - Foundations of Physics 38 (2):191-199.
Light Clocks and the Clock Hypothesis.Samuel C. Fletcher - 2013 - Foundations of Physics 43 (11):1369-1383.

Analytics

Added to PP
2017-08-05

Downloads
10 (#1,025,836)

6 months
4 (#319,344)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

References found in this work

How to teach special relativity.John S. Bell - 1976 - Progress in Scientific Culture 1.
Introductory Remarks.[author unknown] - 1946 - Synthese 5 (1):44-44.
A Real Lorentz-FitzGerald Contraction.Carlos Barceló & Gil Jannes - 2008 - Foundations of Physics 38 (2):191-199.

Add more references