Re: Symmetry in Lorentz transformation equations

[DEVARAKONDA VENKATA NARAYANA SARMA <narayana@HD1.DOT.NET.IN>]

David,

But does this not imply that y<----->t, y'<----->t' and z<----->t,
and z'<----->t'.

What is the problem?

regards,

sarma.

At 11:39 AM 9/3/99 -0400, you wrote:
> Sarma,
>
> Regarding:
>
> > I think the first one i.e., x<--->t, x'<---->t' is the most obvious.
> > It is telling us that x and t are exchangeable. Both equations have the
> > dimensions of time and it indicates the equivalence of x and t.
>
> This supposed equivalence can be only conceivably be the case if the
> universe has 1 spatial and 1 temporal dimension.  The experimental
> evidence is that the universe has 3 observable spatial dimensions and 1
> temporal dimension.  In the presence of y & z dimensions a switch of x &
> t is not a symmetry of nature--even if it is a symmetry of a Lorentz
> boost transformation along the x direction.
>
> David Bowman
> dbowman@georgetowncollege.edu