An electromagnetic way to derive basic relativistic transformations

TL;DR

This paper derives fundamental relativistic transformations using elementary electromagnetism, showing how drift velocities in electromagnetic fields lead to relativistic velocity addition and field transformations without assuming light speed invariance.

Contribution

It introduces a novel electromagnetic approach to derive relativistic laws, avoiding the a priori assumption of light speed invariance, and emphasizes drift velocities as key to relativity.

Findings

Derivation of relativistic velocity addition law from electromagnetic drift velocities.

Transformation laws for electromagnetic fields and space-time intervals.

Light speed invariance emerges as a universal drift velocity limit.

Abstract

We derive the relativistic velocity addition law, the transformations of electromagnetic fields and space-time intervals by examining the drift velocities in a crossed electromagnetic field configuration. The postulate of the light velocity invariance is not taken as a priori, but is derived as the universal upper limit of physical drift velocities. The key is that a physical drift of either an electric charge or a magnetic charge remains a drift motion by inertial reference frame transformations. Such a simple fact is incompatible with the Galilean velocity addition. This derivation provides a way to introduce relativity via elementary electromagnetism.