The Sagnac effect in GPS, absolute simultaneity and the new meaning of time

Luigi Maxmilian Caligiuri, Amrit Sorli
Abstract:
The implementation of GPS systems has allowed the understanding of important facts about the true meaning of time and simultaneity. In fact GPS has became a fundamental source for the understanding of clock behaviour and synchronization, through the considerations of the relativistic effects affecting it. Among these, a very important role is played by the Sagnac effect, influencing the clocks readings. The correct consideration of such effect is fundamental in every synchronization process where the receiver is moving with respect to the source. In this paper we show how GPS system demonstrates that the explanation of Sagnac effect given by the commonly accepted version of Special Theory of Relativity is not correct and the use of an alternative formulation based on Inertial Transformations must be used. This implies the adoption of a new synchronization procedure, the renounce to the relativity of simultaneity and a novel meaning of physical time.
Keywords:
Quantum Vacuum; Variable Velocity of Light; Inertial Transformations; Clocks Synchronization; Rotating Reference Frames
Download:
IMEKO-TC4-2014-361.pdf
DOI:
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Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC4
Event name:
TC4 Symposium 2014
Title:

20th IMEKO TC4 Symposium on Measurements of Electrical Quantities (together with 18th TC4 International Workshop on ADC and DCA Modeling and Testing, IWADC)
"Research on Electrical and Electronic Measurement for the Economic Upturn"

Place:
Benevento, ITALY
Time:
15 September 2014 - 17 September 2014