Additivity, rapidity, relativity
Abstract
A simple and deep standard mathematical theorem asserts the existence, for any one-parameter differentiable group, of an additive parameter, such as the angle for rotations and the rapidity parameter for Lorentz transformations. The importance of this theorem for the applications of group theory in physics is stressed, and an elementary proof is given. The theorem then is applied to the construction from first principles of possible relativity groups.
- Publication:
-
American Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1119/1.11972
- Bibcode:
- 1979AmJPh..47.1045L
- Keywords:
-
- 03.30.+p;
- 02.20.-a;
- Special relativity;
- Group theory