Relativistic transformation of temperature

We reconsider the long standing problem of the transformation of temperature in special relativity. Using the radiation field as a working system, we show that there is no unique law of transformation. Indeed, the moving system appears hotter than the system at rest. This transformation law clearly depends on the thermodynamic quantity under study. Contrary to temperature, pressure can be Lorentz invariant, depending on the axis of observation. Moreover, entropy, photon number, and sound speed are Lorentz invariant. This is the principal result of this work.

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Publication Details

Journal
AIP Advances
Published
2026-09-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0350331
Primary Topic
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Relativistic transformation of temperature

G. Faussurier
AIP Advances
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
article

Relativistic transformation of temperature

G. Faussurier
article en

Abstract

We reconsider the long standing problem of the transformation of temperature in special relativity. Using the radiation field as a working system, we show that there is no unique law of transformation. Indeed, the moving system appears hotter than the system at rest. This transformation law clearly depends on the thermodynamic quantity under study. Contrary to temperature, pressure can be Lorentz invariant, depending on the axis of observation. Moreover, entropy, photon number, and sound speed are Lorentz invariant. This is the principal result of this work.

AIP AdvancesVol. 16(9)
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (FR), Université Paris-Saclay (FR), CEA DAM Île-de-France (FR), CEA Paris-Saclay (FR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
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