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

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IMEKO-TC4-2014-361.pdf

DOI

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IMEKO TC

TC4 - Measurement of Electrical Quantities

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