朗道對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論到底動(dòng)了什么“手腳”?
狹義相對(duì)論有兩個(gè)基本假設(shè),愛因斯坦認(rèn)為是相對(duì)性原理加光速不變?cè)?,朗道認(rèn)為是相對(duì)性原理加朗道定理。關(guān)于同時(shí)相對(duì)性的地位,愛因斯坦認(rèn)為是最關(guān)鍵的思想,朗道認(rèn)為是一個(gè)次要的推論。朗道的理解更加寬廣、更加深刻、更加現(xiàn)代!
撰文 | 劉全慧(物理學(xué)博士,湖南大學(xué)教授)
前蘇聯(lián)物理學(xué)家朗道(Lev Davidovich Landau,1908.1.22-1968.4.1)認(rèn)為,由相對(duì)性原理可以推出相互作用的傳播速度在所有參考系中都是一樣的,這一觀點(diǎn)很容易被理解為狹義相對(duì)論只有一個(gè)基本假設(shè);朗道認(rèn)為相對(duì)性原理可以推出同時(shí)的相對(duì)性,這一觀點(diǎn)很容易理解為對(duì)愛因斯坦認(rèn)為同時(shí)相對(duì)性是相對(duì)論的關(guān)鍵這一觀點(diǎn)的反動(dòng)。其實(shí),朗道不但沒有誤解相對(duì)論,而且進(jìn)行了擴(kuò)充和簡(jiǎn)化。朗道對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論的理解,和愛因斯坦不同,但是朗道的理解更加寬廣也更加深刻!
1
相對(duì)論基本原理的愛因斯坦表述和朗道表述
朗道在“理論物理教程”第二卷《場(chǎng)論》的第一章第一節(jié)中系統(tǒng)地表達(dá)了他對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論基本原理的看法。朗道理解的要點(diǎn)如下 (取自1939年《場(chǎng)論》第一節(jié)的第9,11,16段) :
“由相對(duì)性原理可以推斷相互作用的傳播速度在所有慣性參考系統(tǒng)中都是一樣的。因此,相互作用的傳播速度是一個(gè)普適常數(shù)?!? “把相對(duì)性原理同相互作用傳播速度的有限性聯(lián)合起來就是愛因斯坦的相對(duì)性原理(愛因斯坦在1905年提出這個(gè)原理),…?!? “相對(duì)性原理導(dǎo)出一個(gè)結(jié)果,時(shí)間不是絕對(duì)的?!?/p>
愛因斯坦的原文如下 (1905年《論動(dòng)體的電動(dòng)力學(xué)》) :
“1. 物理體系的狀態(tài)據(jù)以變化的定律,同描述這些狀態(tài)變化時(shí)所參照的坐標(biāo)系究競(jìng)是用兩個(gè)在互相勻速移動(dòng)著的坐標(biāo)系中的哪一個(gè)并無(wú)關(guān)系。 2. 任何光線在“靜止的”坐標(biāo)系中都是以確定的速度c運(yùn)動(dòng)著,不管這道光線是由靜止的?!?/p>
這就是對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論的兩個(gè)基本假設(shè)的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)表述,簡(jiǎn)稱為相對(duì)性原理和光速不變?cè)怼?/p>
朗道和愛因斯坦對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論的基本假設(shè)的表述,完全不同。
2
朗道改造了愛因斯坦相對(duì)論的基本原理
首先必須說明,光速不變?cè)聿豢赡苁窍鄬?duì)性原理的推論。這一點(diǎn)用歸謬法就可證明。假設(shè)相對(duì)性原理可以推出光速不變?cè)?,也就可以推出信?hào)傳播速度為無(wú)限。那么,到底光速不變?cè)硎钦_的,還是信號(hào)傳播速度為無(wú)限是正確的?任何選擇就等價(jià)于引入新的假設(shè)。
朗道實(shí)際上引入的一個(gè)新假設(shè)是,相互作用的最大傳播速度有限定理,不妨將稱之為朗道定理。數(shù)學(xué)表達(dá)式為
vm=const.<∞
然后根據(jù)相對(duì)性原理,任何物理定理必須和參考系無(wú)關(guān),那么朗道定理也就和參考系無(wú)關(guān),上式中的這個(gè)常數(shù),就是一個(gè)自然常數(shù)。
在朗道的做法中,光速不變?cè)肀环殖闪藘刹糠?,一部分是朗道定理,僅僅在一個(gè)參考系里成立。另外一部分把相對(duì)性原理應(yīng)用到這個(gè)定理上。從表面上看,朗道認(rèn)為光速不變?cè)硎窍鄬?duì)性原理的一個(gè)推論。但是,從實(shí)際上看,還是有兩個(gè)假設(shè),不過強(qiáng)調(diào)了相對(duì)性原理。這一點(diǎn)上,朗道和愛因斯坦對(duì)相對(duì)論基本原理的理解,有相當(dāng)?shù)牟町?,但是朗道站在了愛因斯坦的肩膀上?/p>
下面是兩段閑話。
朗道重新表述相對(duì)論基本原理給讀書人一個(gè)啟示。對(duì)知識(shí)做到心領(lǐng)神會(huì)進(jìn)而盡可能簡(jiǎn)化知識(shí)的表述,是讀書人的標(biāo)配。而讀書人要成為學(xué)者,必須透過知識(shí)看到更深的道理,如此才能具有發(fā)展出新知識(shí)的能力。前者是國(guó)內(nèi)高校優(yōu)秀教師的標(biāo)準(zhǔn),后者是國(guó)際上一流高校教師的入門標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。
朗道學(xué)習(xí)和發(fā)展新物理的能力是人類智力發(fā)展高度的一個(gè)歷史記錄,也是人世間的一個(gè)傳奇。他使用微積分的能力似乎與生俱來,因?yàn)樗挥浀盟螘r(shí)通過學(xué)習(xí)并掌握了微積分。在本科階段,朗道對(duì)廣義相對(duì)論就已經(jīng)融會(huì)貫通,并認(rèn)為是理論物理學(xué)家的入門級(jí)知識(shí),這是他在16-19歲間形成的認(rèn)識(shí)。從24歲起,他不再閱讀任何物理著作,也不再閱讀任何物理論文,如果在例常舉行的研討會(huì)和討論中聽說了一個(gè)新進(jìn)展,他馬上就能自己重復(fù)出來。朗道還有一個(gè)令人炫目的技能,就是能把事情平庸化(trivializing),這一點(diǎn)朗道也引以自傲?!秷?chǎng)論》第一版出版的時(shí)候,朗道僅僅31歲,但已經(jīng)是蜚聲國(guó)際的物理學(xué)家。那么,朗道在《場(chǎng)論》中如何炫技呢? 弄斧必須到班門,愛因斯坦的狹義相對(duì)論無(wú)疑是朗道的最佳表演場(chǎng)所。
3
朗道思辨過程的解析和欣賞
狹義相對(duì)論是《場(chǎng)論》的基礎(chǔ)。朗道的《場(chǎng)論》第一節(jié)全面介紹了朗道對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論的基本原理的理解,標(biāo)題是“相互作用的傳播速度”。這一節(jié)共21個(gè)自然段,可以分三個(gè)部分。第一部分 (第1-16段) 是基本原理,第二部分 (第17-20段) 是一個(gè)例子,第三部分 (第21段) 是小結(jié)。第1-16段起承轉(zhuǎn)合,結(jié)構(gòu)嚴(yán)謹(jǐn),是理性思辨的典范。下面將詳細(xì)解讀1-16段。
--第1段--
For the description of processes taking place in nature, one must have a system of reference. By a system of reference we understand a system of coordinates serving to indicate the position of a particle in space, as well as clocks fixed in this system serving to indicate the time.
第1段定義參考系。參考系就是時(shí)空的標(biāo)架,鋪滿了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)尺和標(biāo)準(zhǔn)鐘。這里沒有討論如何對(duì)鐘。既不能先驗(yàn)地認(rèn)為鐘已經(jīng)對(duì)準(zhǔn),更不能先驗(yàn)地知道對(duì)鐘的理論。
對(duì)于一個(gè)科學(xué)理論來說,分清楚分內(nèi)分外非常重要。這里,標(biāo)準(zhǔn)尺和標(biāo)準(zhǔn)鐘,是參考系的基礎(chǔ),是有國(guó)際基本單位制度所規(guī)定的,是所有物理理論的基礎(chǔ)和出發(fā)點(diǎn)。物理理論發(fā)展后會(huì)導(dǎo)致重新定義這些基本單位,不過這些屬于下一個(gè)進(jìn)程,需要等到下一次可能的迭代。
--第2、3段--
There exist systems of references in which a freely moving body, i.e., a moving body, which is not acted upon by external forces, proceeds with constant velocity. Such reference systems, are said to be inertial. If two reference systems move uniformly relative to each other and if one of them is an inertial system, then clearly the other is also inertial (in this system too every free motion will be linear and uniform). In this way we can obtain arbitrarily many inertial systems of reference, moving uniformly relative to one another.
第2、3段定義慣性參考系,簡(jiǎn)稱慣性系。定義慣性系是牛頓第一定律的事情,不是狹義相對(duì)論份內(nèi)的事情。狹義相對(duì)論只在慣性系內(nèi)討論物理規(guī)律。
牛頓第一定律比牛頓第二定律具有更加廣泛的普適性。有人認(rèn)為,牛頓第一定律是牛頓第二定律當(dāng)力為零時(shí)的特例,這是完全不對(duì)的。站在狹義相對(duì)論的角度回望歷史,能更清楚地看清這件事情??梢愿脑炫nD第二定律成為一個(gè)合格的相對(duì)論定理,其中力是四維矢量。但是,連狹義相對(duì)論的原理都不知道的時(shí)候,談何相對(duì)論性的牛頓第二定律?因此,牛頓第一定律不是牛頓第二定律當(dāng)力為零時(shí)的特例。
--第4段--
Experiment shows that the so-called principle of relativity is valid. According to this principle all the laws of nature are identical in all inertial systems of reference. In other words, the equations expressing the laws of nature are invariant with respect to transformations of coordinates and time from one inertial system to another. This means that the equation describing any law of nature, when written in terms of coordinates and time in different inertial reference systems, has one and the same form.
第4段引入相對(duì)性原理。這里沒有討論這個(gè)相對(duì)性原理是伽利略的還是愛因斯坦的。
相對(duì)性原理說的是,不同慣性系中的物理規(guī)律一樣。或者說,一個(gè)人獲得了一個(gè)物理規(guī)律,卻不能因?yàn)檫@個(gè)規(guī)律來反推這個(gè)人所在的慣性系。相對(duì)性原理的一個(gè)重要性在于,在一個(gè)參考系里確立一個(gè)物理定理,在任何參考系里都成立。
這一段的第一句話很容易導(dǎo)致誤解,以為等效原理是由實(shí)驗(yàn)總結(jié)出來的規(guī)律。不是!這里沒有討論如何發(fā)現(xiàn)和建立相對(duì)性原理,而是說,相對(duì)性原理獲得了實(shí)驗(yàn)的諸多方面的支持。對(duì)實(shí)驗(yàn)結(jié)果的解釋,往往不能在伽利略相對(duì)性原理還是愛因斯坦相對(duì)性原理中做出判斷。在歷史上,對(duì)邁克爾遜-莫雷實(shí)驗(yàn) (Michelson-Morley Experiment) 的零結(jié)果,可以有多種解釋,可以認(rèn)為以太不存在,也可以認(rèn)為以太存在。
相對(duì)性原理還不完全是相對(duì)論分內(nèi)的事情,而是屬于比相對(duì)論更加基礎(chǔ)的部分即物理世界具有對(duì)稱性,不過在相對(duì)論中具有至高無(wú)上的位置。深刻認(rèn)識(shí)到這一點(diǎn),是愛因斯坦以后的事情。但是今天,不僅僅有了愛因斯坦的相對(duì)論理論,還有狄拉克、朗道、楊振寧等人對(duì)于各種對(duì)稱性的挖掘,今天的物理學(xué)界已經(jīng)認(rèn)識(shí)到對(duì)稱性具有更為深刻的基礎(chǔ)性。楊振寧稱之為“對(duì)稱性決定相互作用”。
--第5、6段--
The interaction of material particles is described in ordinary mechanics by means of a potential energy of interaction, which appears as a function of the coordinates of the interacting particles. It is easy to see that this manner of describing interactions contains the assumption of instantaneous propagation of interactions. For the forces exerted on each of the particles by the other particles at a particular instant of time depend, according to this description, only on the positions of the particles at this one instant. A change in the position of any of the interacting particles influences the other particles immediately. However, experiment shows that instantaneous interactions do not exist in nature. Thus a mechanics based on the assumption of instantaneous propagation of interactions contains within itself a certain inaccuracy. In actuality, if any change takes place in one of the interacting bodies, it will influence the other bodies only after the lapse of a certain interval of time. It is only after this time interval that processes caused by the initial change begin to take place in the second body. Dividing the distance between the two bodies by this time interval, we obtain the velocity of propagation of the interaction.
第5、6段引入相互作用及相互作用的傳播速度vint。在通常的力學(xué)中寫下相互作用勢(shì)能的時(shí)候,其實(shí)暗含了一個(gè)假設(shè),相互作用是瞬時(shí)完成的,即超距相互作用。但是,實(shí)驗(yàn)直接否定了超距相互作用vint→∞,從而必須引入有限的相互作用的傳播速度vint<∞。
僅僅從相對(duì)性原理出發(fā),不能在vint→∞和vint<∞之間做出選擇。
--第7、8段--
We note that this velocity should, strictly speaking, be called the maximum velocity of propagation of interaction. It determines only that interval of time after which a change occurring in one body begins to manifest itself in another. It is clear that the existence of a maximum velocity of propagation of interactions implies, at the same time, that motions of bodies with greater velocity than this are in general impossible in nature. For, if such a motion could occur, then by means of it, one could realize an interaction with a velocity exceeding the maximum possible velocity of propagation of interactions. Interactions propagating from one particle to another are frequently called “signals”, sent out from the first particle, and “informing” the second particle of changes, which the first has experienced. The velocity of propagation of interaction is then referred to as the signal velocity.
第7、8段認(rèn)為相互作用的傳播即一個(gè)粒子向另外一個(gè)粒子發(fā)送信號(hào),并研究了相互作用的傳播速度vint。相互作用的傳播速度總是有限的,所有的有限速度中有個(gè)極大值vm=max{vint}。從邏輯上就可以推斷這個(gè)極大值vm是所有物質(zhì)運(yùn)動(dòng)速度的上限。如果不是上限,只可能存在于非物質(zhì)運(yùn)動(dòng)中,這對(duì)物理學(xué)沒有意義。因此存在一個(gè)物理定理vm=const.<∞,即朗道定理。朗道定理來自有限經(jīng)驗(yàn)和邏輯推理,缺乏實(shí)證說這個(gè)定理一定普遍成立。如果認(rèn)為朗道定理普遍成立,就是一個(gè)假設(shè)。簡(jiǎn)而言之,朗道定理就是一個(gè)假設(shè)。
理論上有沒有辦法找到這個(gè)相互作用的傳播速度的上限的確定數(shù)值vm?沒有!從牛頓力學(xué)可以推斷出vm只可能是零質(zhì)量粒子的速度。這是因?yàn)?,?duì)一個(gè)有質(zhì)量的粒子施加一個(gè)作用力,同樣的力,質(zhì)量越小,獲得的加速度就越大,從而末速度越大。注意,零質(zhì)量粒子力學(xué)不在牛頓力學(xué)范圍里!在牛頓力學(xué)中,零質(zhì)量粒子只能處理為有質(zhì)量粒子的零極限!由于不能先驗(yàn)地認(rèn)為零質(zhì)量粒子的力學(xué)就是牛頓力學(xué)有質(zhì)量粒子的零極限,因此牛頓力學(xué)不能處理零質(zhì)量粒子。一個(gè)簡(jiǎn)單的例子是,按今天的理解,麥克斯韋方程是光子的經(jīng)典場(chǎng)論,光子的質(zhì)量為零。顯然,牛頓力學(xué)推不出來麥克斯韋方程。能否把麥克斯韋電磁方程組直接引入相對(duì)論然后說明光速不變是一個(gè)推論? 不行!除非把麥克斯韋電磁理論作為一個(gè)基本假設(shè)引入。但是,麥克斯韋電磁理論中包含的東西太多,是全部作為基本假設(shè)引入還是僅僅引入其中的一部分呢?必須引入更多的假設(shè)!因此,利用已知的理論不能給出vm。
從實(shí)驗(yàn)角度,vm也不能是任何材料中的信號(hào)傳播速度。這是因?yàn)?,不同溫度下介質(zhì)中相互作用的傳播速度不同,把所有材料在全部溫度區(qū)間內(nèi)的相互作用的傳播速度測(cè)量一遍才能找出這個(gè)上限值,這完全不具有可行性。
至此,理論和實(shí)驗(yàn)的角度都間接提供了一個(gè)重要提示:vm可能是真空中的零質(zhì)量物質(zhì)粒子的運(yùn)動(dòng)速度。
因此,可以把真空中的光速,或者真空中引力波的速度,或者真空中某種未知的物質(zhì)運(yùn)動(dòng)的速度,當(dāng)成vm。任何一個(gè)選擇,就是引入了新假設(shè)。
--第9、10段--
From the principle of relativity, it follows that the velocity of propagation of interactions is the same in all inertial frames of reference. Thus the velocity of propagation of interactions is a universal constant. This constant velocity (as we shall show later) is also the velocity of light in empty space. The velocity of light is usually designated by the letter , and its numerical value is c=2.998 × 1010cm/sec. ? ? ? ? (1.1) The large value of this velocity explains the fact that in practice, classical mechanics appears to be sufficiently accurate in most cases. The velocities with, which we have occasion to deal with in every day life are usually so small compared with the velocity of light. The assumption that the latter is infinite does not materially affect the accuracy of the results.
第9、10段認(rèn)為,由于朗道定理vm=const.<∞必須遵守相對(duì)性原理,這個(gè)vm就和參考系的運(yùn)動(dòng)與否無(wú)關(guān)!選真空中的光速而不是真空中引力波的速度或者真空中某種未知的物質(zhì)運(yùn)動(dòng)的速度有很多優(yōu)勢(shì),第一是物理上有普遍意義,第二是容易測(cè)量,第三是不與牛頓力學(xué)矛盾。
如果vm選為光速vm=c有無(wú)缺陷? 有!如果今后發(fā)現(xiàn)了有某種物質(zhì)(例如暗物質(zhì))中的信號(hào)傳播速度超過了光速,就要放棄vm=c。不過,建立一個(gè)新的理論也絲毫不會(huì)損害vm=c所建立理論的正確性。
--第11、12段--
The combination of the principle of relativity with the finiteness of the velocity of propagation of interactions is called the principle of relativity of Einstein (it was formulated by Einstein in 1905) in contrast to the principle of relativity of Galileo, which was based on an infinite velocity of propagation of interactions. The mechanics based on the Einsteinian principle of relativity (we shall usually refer to it simply as the principle of relativity) is called relativistic. In the limiting case when the velocities of the moving bodies are small compared with the velocity of light, we can neglect the effect on the motion of the finiteness of the velocity of propagation. Then relativistic mechanics goes over into the usual non-relativistic mechanics, based on the assumption of instantaneous propagation of interaction; this mechanics is called Newtonian or classical. The limiting transition from relativistic to classical mechanics 9 can be produced formally by taking the limit→∞ ?in the formulae of relativistic mechanics.
第11、12段定義了什么是愛因斯坦的狹義相對(duì)論:相對(duì)性原理+朗道定理(vm=const.<∞),在這個(gè)理論中,真空中的光用來傳遞信號(hào),光速是信號(hào)傳遞的最大速度。
至此進(jìn)入通常的狹義相對(duì)論。
--第13、14段--
In classical mechanics distance is already relative, i.e., the spatial relations between different events depend on the system of reference in which they are described. The statement that two non-simultaneous events occur at one and the same point in space or, in general, at a definite distance from each other, acquires a meaning only when we indicate the system of reference which is being used. On the other hand, time is absolute in classical mechanics; in other words, the properties of time are assumed to be independent of the system of reference; there is one time for all reference frames. This means that if any two phenomena occur simultaneously for any one observer, then they occur simultaneously also for all others. In general, the interval of time between two given events is assumed to be identical for all systems of reference in classical mechanics.
第13、14段認(rèn)為經(jīng)典力學(xué)中空間距離的相對(duì)性和時(shí)間的絕對(duì)性。所謂時(shí)間的絕對(duì)性,指一個(gè)慣性系中同時(shí)發(fā)生的兩個(gè)事件,在所有其他慣性系也是同時(shí)發(fā)生的。
文明發(fā)展的一個(gè)標(biāo)志是,原來以為理所當(dāng)然的經(jīng)驗(yàn)或者理論,今天發(fā)現(xiàn)接受起來反而不易。對(duì)于今天的職業(yè)物理學(xué)家甚至科學(xué)與工程專業(yè)的學(xué)生來說,牛頓的絕對(duì)時(shí)空是多么的荒唐。
--第15段--
It is easy to show, however, that the idea of an absolute time is in complete contradiction to the Einstein principle of relativity. For this it is sufficient to recall that in classical mechanics, based on the concept of an absolute time, a general law of combination of velocities is valid, according to which the velocity of a composite motion is simply equal to the (vector) sum of the velocities which constitute this motion. This law, being universal, should also be applicable to the propagation of interactions. From this it would follow that the velocity of propagation of light must be different in different inertial systems of reference, in contradiction to the principle of relativity. In this matter experiment completely confirms the principle of relativity. Measurements first performed by Michelson (1887) showed complete lack of dependence of the velocity of light on its direction of propagation; whereas according to classical mechanics the velocity of light should be smaller in the direction of the earth’s motion than in the opposite direction.
第15段認(rèn)為經(jīng)典力學(xué)的時(shí)間的絕對(duì)性和愛因斯坦相對(duì)論直接矛盾。朗道定理和牛頓力學(xué)中的速度相加定律直接抵觸。
有了狹義相對(duì)論,邁克爾遜實(shí)驗(yàn)及后來的邁克爾遜-莫雷實(shí)驗(yàn),可以獲得最干凈的解釋。
--第16段--
Thus the principle of relativity leads to the result that time is not absolute. Time elapses differently in different systems of references. Consequently the statement that a definite time interval has elapsed between two given events acquires meaning only when the reference frame to which this statement applies is indicated. In particular, events, which are simultaneous in one reference frame, will not in general be simultaneous in other frames.
第16段認(rèn)為是相對(duì)性原理導(dǎo)致了時(shí)間的相對(duì)性,一個(gè)慣性系中兩個(gè)同時(shí)發(fā)生的事件,在另外一個(gè)慣性系中不同時(shí)。這個(gè)時(shí)候,可以重新定義同時(shí)性。討論同時(shí)性,也就是回到了第1段提到的問題:慣性系中的時(shí)鐘如何對(duì)準(zhǔn)。
同時(shí)相對(duì)性是相對(duì)論原理中位居末席的問題,不但和通常教科書的講法不同,也和愛因斯坦劃定的重點(diǎn)不同。
通常教科書認(rèn)為,相對(duì)性原理不是相對(duì)論獨(dú)有的,唯獨(dú)光速不變?cè)聿攀?。是光速不變?cè)砼c牛頓絕對(duì)時(shí)空觀之間的尖銳矛盾,才是建立狹義相對(duì)論的關(guān)鍵。用愛因斯坦自己的話說,在1905年5月的一個(gè)晚上,愛因斯坦下班后到好友貝索(Michele Besso)住處聊天,突然他領(lǐng)悟到時(shí)間是可疑的(“until at last it came to me that time was suspect!”)。這個(gè)場(chǎng)景在愛因斯坦的回憶中多處出現(xiàn),也出現(xiàn)在各種歷史記錄中。這也被當(dāng)作愛因斯坦超越他的偉大同輩們的一個(gè)標(biāo)志。
朗道從狹義相對(duì)論的物理中看到了什么? 是相對(duì)性原理,而不是光速不變?cè)怼槭裁词窍鄬?duì)性原理?因?yàn)?,相?duì)性原理反映了一種不變性,而不變性是對(duì)稱性的一種表現(xiàn)。
4
朗道對(duì)相對(duì)論到底動(dòng)了什么“手腳”?
朗道簡(jiǎn)化了愛因斯坦狹義相對(duì)論的邏輯系統(tǒng),突出了相對(duì)性原理的地位,而光速不變?cè)碇皇清\上添花而已。在簡(jiǎn)化邏輯系統(tǒng)這一方面,朗道已經(jīng)做到了極致。任何用其它方式重建的相對(duì)論邏輯系統(tǒng),不但比朗道系統(tǒng)要復(fù)雜,而且大概率是錯(cuò)誤的。
通常認(rèn)為光速不變性是建立狹義相對(duì)論的一個(gè)關(guān)鍵,但是朗道不以為然。在朗道的心目中,相對(duì)性原理才具有至高無(wú)上的地位。與此相比,光速不變?cè)碇校馑僮鳛樾盘?hào)傳播的最大速度這一原理能夠直接利用實(shí)驗(yàn)進(jìn)行檢驗(yàn),如果暗物質(zhì)中的信號(hào)傳播速度大于光速,這一原理就要修改。但是,相對(duì)性原理依然可以成立。
朗道的研究有一根主線即對(duì)稱和對(duì)稱破缺,他認(rèn)為這些才是物理世界的更為基本的原則。在這個(gè)角度上,可以理解朗道為什么更強(qiáng)調(diào)相對(duì)性原理而非光速不變?cè)?,因?yàn)橄鄬?duì)性原理是時(shí)空對(duì)稱性的直接體現(xiàn)。
后記和致謝
彭加勒(Henri Poincaré)對(duì)狹義相對(duì)論的實(shí)質(zhì)性貢獻(xiàn)何在? 復(fù)旦大學(xué)金曉峰教授進(jìn)行過深入的考證,形成了一個(gè)系統(tǒng)性的看法。2020年,他報(bào)告了他的研究成果,報(bào)告的視頻放在蔻享直播平臺(tái)上。2022年,他開始把有關(guān)考證結(jié)果整理成了論文,在正式發(fā)表前,他把論文初稿分送了一些同行和朋友。非常榮幸,我也是第一批學(xué)習(xí)者。我對(duì)物理學(xué)發(fā)展的歷史完全外行,但是對(duì)物理理論的邏輯系統(tǒng)有興趣。2022年春節(jié)期間,金曉峰教授和我就其論文涉及的一些問題進(jìn)行了三天密集的討 (攻) 論 (防),同時(shí)一起研讀了一些論文和著作。古人說“學(xué)莫便乎近其人”,任何向?qū)W養(yǎng)深厚的學(xué)者學(xué)習(xí)的內(nèi)容和結(jié)果都值得總結(jié)出來。我把三天討論的部分內(nèi)容和結(jié)論進(jìn)行了整理,形成了三篇文章。一篇是《張?jiān)傧壬?8年前談?wù)摢M義相對(duì)論的一篇小論文及其賞析》,已經(jīng)在“物理與工程”微信公眾號(hào)上推出;一篇是表達(dá)了我自己不認(rèn)可物理學(xué)諾貝爾獎(jiǎng)獲得者索恩(Kip Thorne)對(duì)相對(duì)論基本原理的理解,目前只有一個(gè)初稿,存放于我個(gè)人在科學(xué)網(wǎng)上的博客,標(biāo)題是《麥克斯韋方程對(duì)時(shí)空的要求——兼評(píng)物理學(xué)諾貝爾獎(jiǎng)獲得者索恩對(duì)相對(duì)論的理解》;本文是最后一篇。這些文章中,如有一得之見,全部得益于金曉峰先生的啟發(fā),特此致謝;如有謬誤,責(zé)任在我,無(wú)關(guān)先生。