The hidden physical model of kinematics under SRT’s observer-centric models

Abstract

This paper assumes the reader is intimately familiar with Special Relativity’s (SRT’s) model and equations. The paper summarizes the empirical data in terms of the two main categories of interpretations of SRT currently taught in college/universities, physics texts and discussed in physics journals. Inconsistencies between the data on proper time accumulation rates and SRT are discussed. All the standard rebuttals to claims of flaws or limitations in SRT associated with one set of empirical data are ruled out by other sets of empirical data. The paper focuses on proper time data as proper time is absolute and observer independent, in contrast to the observer-centric SRT spacetime views, AND any absolute effects are cumulative and, hence, especially well-suited for revealing the absolute physical reality that underlies the relativistic view.