Some Paradoxes in Special Relativity

TL;DR

This paper addresses common paradoxes in special relativity by interpreting it as a geometric theory, resolving misunderstandings related to simultaneity and relativity principles, and demonstrating its logical consistency.

Contribution

It provides a unified geometric resolution to well-known paradoxes in special relativity, clarifying misconceptions and affirming the theory's internal consistency.

Findings

Paradoxes stem from concept misinterpretation

Global simultaneity misuse causes paradoxes

Special relativity is logically consistent as Minkowski geometry

Abstract

The special theory of relativity is the foundation of modern physics, but its unusual postulate of invariant vacuum speed of light results in a number of plausible paradoxes. This situation leads to radical criticisms and suspicions against the theory of relativity. In this paper, from the perspective that the relativity is nothing but a geometry, we give a uniform resolution to some famous and typical paradoxes such as the ladder paradox, the Ehrenfest's rotational disc paradox. The discussion shows that all the paradoxes are caused by misinterpretation of concepts. We misused the global simultaneity and the principle of relativity. As a geometry of Minkowski space-time, special relativity can never result in a logical contradiction.