Absolute and Relative Velocity in L-ARF
This article presents an analysis of absolute and relative velocity within the L-ARF (Light – Absolute Reference Framework). In L-ARF, velocities are primarily defined relative to vacuum — as absolute velocities. The relative velocity between two inertial reference frames is a derived concept, not a primary one. The article shows how the absolute velocities of two inertial reference frames — a train and a platform — can be determined separately via light signal travel times, using the formula v = c·Δt/Σt. The relative velocity then follows as r_v = |v_p - v_t|. Consistency is verified in a special case where the platform is at absolute rest relative to vacuum. As an application, Einstein's train experiment is analysed with realistic absolute velocities (v_p = 30,000 m/s, v_t = 30,100 m/s). It is shown that neither observer M nor M' sees the lightning bolts simultaneously — both have asymmetric arrival times that follow directly from their absolute velocities. SR's choice of the platform's IRF as "stationary" conceals this underlying physical reality.
Authors
- Jan Slowak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0379-8241)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Published
- 2026-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22025542
- Primary Topic
- Relativity and Gravitational Theory
- Type
- preprint