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What causes relativistic length contraction? Drawing inspiration from contemporary theories of wave mechanics, we tackle this problem in special relativity head-on. A long-overlooked formalism known as the method of the retarded potential provides a vital and intriguing clue -- ultimately leading to the resolution of a mystery 130 years in the making. ***************************************************** Acknowledgments: This work would not have been possible without the assistance rendered from the following two individuals: PHILLIP SCRIBNER -- A retired professor of philosophy from American University whose treatise entitled “Naturalistic Reason“ provided invaluable and clarifying insights into the highly convoluted history and nature of the length contraction problem. More information about his work and his theory regarding the ontological unification of physics can be found here: VALERIE LINDNER -- A PhD student at Pennsylvania State University who decoded the math of Feyman's “Solutions of Maxwell’s Equations with Currents and Charges“ for us, and furnished the turning point in our understanding of the problem. Extraordinary gifted and multi-faceted, Valerie was planning to do her PhD dissertation on the subject of flowing-space, an alternative model to Einstein's theory of gravity. She passed away from illness before this video was completed, and as such would never learn of the impact of her contribution. You can learn more about her incredible and unusual life here: Additionally, to our Patreon subscribers and all our viewers, we cannot express how greatly we have appreciated all your support over the years. This channel would not be possible without you -- five years ago we never could have believed we would tackling problems like this! ****************************************************** Please help support the channel on Patreon! Join our discord for further discussion on the topics presented here in this video: ******************************************************* Works and References Cited: Heaviside, Oliver. (1894-1912). “Electromagnetic Theory: Volume I, Volume II, Volume III“ Feynman, Richard. (1963). “Solutions of Maxwell’s Equations with Currents and Charges.“ Lorentz, Hendrik. (1916). “The Theory of Electrons“ Scribner, Phillip. (2022). “Naturalistic Reason: Volume I: Unification of Physics“ Redzic, D. V. (2015). “Direct Calculation of Length Contraction and Clock Retardation“ Miller, D. J. (2009). “A Constructive Approach to the Special Theory of Relativity.“ Purcell, Edward M. and Morin, David J. (2013) “Electricity and Magnetism“. Lindner, Henry. (2015). “On The Philosophical Inadequacy of Modern Physics and The Need For a Theory of Space“ Einstein, Albert. (1905). “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies“ Reichenbach, Hans. (1927). “The Philosophy of Space and Time“ Mansouri, Reza & Sexl, Roman. (1977). “A test theory of special relativity: I. Simultaneity and clock synchronization.“ General Relativity and Gravitation. 8. 497-513. ******************************************************* Contents: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Part 1: The Pancake Field 08:30 - Part 2: The Retarded Potential 14:20 - Part 3: Superposition 19:53 - Discussion & Remaining Issues
