On Synchronized Clocks at the Ends of a Moving Rod

摘要

It is an almost generally accepted notion that the science of physics must dealwith observable and measurable magnitudes only. Starting from the above stand-point and accepting the second fundamental principle of A. Einstein[A.Einstein,in The Principle of Relativity,by H.A.Lorentz, H.Minkowski,and H.Weyl(Do-ver Publications,New York,1952),pp.37-65],as described in his well-knownhistoric 1905 paper,we conclude that the observable/measurable position of amoving material object in the perceptible space of an observer whose position isat a finite distance from the object differs from the mathematical position of thisobject in the geometrical space,which exists only in our mind. From the physi-cist's point of view it is only this observable/measurable position (from now oncalled the"conjugate position")that is of importance.Thus the moving objectappears(is observed)to be in a previously occupied position and not in the one itis really in now,a conclusion also evocative of the"shadows"paradigm inPlato's"cave"[Plato,Republic,book seven,514A-518B(Papyros Publ.,Ath-ens),pp.400-409].In the present paper,while examining,in light of this newconcept of the conjugate position,the validity of the synchronized state of the twoclocks at the ends of a moving rod(as this state was defined by Einstein himself inhis historic paper),we arrive at the substantiated conclusion that said clocks arein fact synchronized,contrary to Einstein's thesis.