On the Falsity of the Fitzgerald–Lorentz Contraction Hypothesis

Abstract

The Fitzgerald–Lorentz contraction hypothesis, proposed as an explanation of the Michelson–Morley result, fails to account for the Kennedy–Thorndike result. Hence, Grünbaum argues, the hypothesis has been falsified.

However, the contraction hypothesis as formulated by Lorentz is false for the very fundamental reason that it entails a contradiction, namely, the consequence that light waves must have a variable velocity along what by definition is taken to be a rest length. Furthermore, the attempt to resolve this contradiction by coupling the Fitzgerald–Lorentz contraction with the hypothesis that clock rates are a function of velocity, is open to a sound, methodological objection. The Michelson–Morley result is fully satisfied, provided only that the lengths of the interferometer arms, in the longitudinal and transverse positions, are thought to be related to one another in a certain ratio, and this ratio may be interpreted as a contraction in both arms. Since this twofold contraction hypothesis suffices to explain both the Michelson–Morley and the Kennedy–Thorndike results, and since it entails no contradiction, there is no need to correct both the length of rods and the rate of clocks. Therefore, the combined clock-rod hypothesis, and with it the Fitzgerald–Lorentz contraction hypothesis, must be rejected.