Ehrenfest Paradox and the meaning of its non-resolution

Ehrenfest Paradox and the meaning of its non-resolution | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 16 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Ehrenfest Paradox and the meaning of its non-resolution Author : Chandru Iyer 0000-0002-0782-1173 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175009003.35407695/v1 609 views 168 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract In the special theory of relativity proper lengths of rods and rulers remain unaltered. However, non co-moving rods and rulers (appear to) contract along the line of movement. This contraction is asserted to be as real as any conceivable physical measurement that is made by the reference frame with respect to which the rods and rulers are moving. It is well recognised that the contraction is a result of mismatch in synchronization of spatially separated clocks. The Ehrenfest paradox highlights the anomalies created by (apparent) length contraction that is real for the noncomoving frame yet non-existent for the comoving frame. Ehrenfest, a reputed theoretical physicist of his times, himself did not offer a solution to the paradox, indicating that the paradox is a critique of the special relativity theory. There is no consensus on the resolution of the paradox except evasive ones such as the clocks on the circumference cannot be synchronised by any acceptable procedure or the impossibility of maintaining rigidity during the transition. The original paradox proposed by Ehrenfest, envisaged contraction of the circumference. The counterview proposed by Einstein that the rulers on the circumference contracted, leading to a measurement of a larger circumference, only exasperates the paradox. Thus the paradox remains unresolved causing doubts on the maintainability of the theory of special relativity. The difficulties that preclude the possibility of an acceptable synchronisation in the rotating frame lead to an impossibility of observing any reality, absolute or otherwise. This is because without synchronisation of spatially separated clocks, it is not possible to measure the length of a moving rod. Since there must be a reality, absolute or otherwise, we suggest that there must be a synchronisation that corresponds to reality. Supplementary Material File (ehrenfest paradox.pdf) Download 506.69 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 16 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords clock synchronisation ehrenfest paradox length contraction rod slot paradox special relativity theory Authors Affiliations Chandru Iyer 0000-0002-0782-1173 [email protected] View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 609 views 168 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Chandru Iyer. Ehrenfest Paradox and the meaning of its non-resolution. Authorea . 16 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175009003.35407695/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.175009003.35407695/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9fee5bd2381658d3',t:'MTc3OTMxMTc0Ng=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();