Relativity, the Fitzgerald-Lorentz Contraction, and Quantum Theory

Abstract

The paper reviews former contentions of the writer to the effect that in the realm of classical physics, at any rate, the Michelson-Morley experiment has an illusory significance in relation to the theory of restricted relativity, and that in this realm there would be sense to the useful part of the theory involving, as it does, the invariance of the equations under the Lorentzian transformation, even though the Michelson-Morley experiment should give a positive effect and rods and clocks should fail to partake of the Lorentzian contraction and time changes when set in motion with velocity $v$ in the system $S$. It is shown, however, that the existence of a relativistically invariant quantum theory provides for the Lorentzian contraction and allied phenomena cited above and calls for them as necessities. Without such a theory, the invariance of the equations alone would have nothing to say on these matters.