Reichenbach epsilon
E886591
Reichenbach epsilon is a parameter introduced by Hans Reichenbach to characterize the conventional freedom in defining simultaneity and clock synchronization in special relativity.
All labels observed (1)
| Label | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Reichenbach epsilon canonical | 1 |
Statements (30)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
conventionality parameter
ⓘ
philosophy of physics concept ⓘ synchrony parameter ⓘ |
| appearsInEquation | t_B = t_A + ε (t_A' − t_A) ⓘ |
| appliesTo | inertial reference frames ⓘ |
| associatedWith |
conventionality of simultaneity debate
ⓘ
philosophy of space and time ⓘ |
| assumes | isotropy of two-way light speed ⓘ |
| characterizes |
conventional freedom in clock synchronization
ⓘ
conventional freedom in defining simultaneity ⓘ |
| contrastsWith | unique, non-conventional simultaneity ⓘ |
| defines | time assigned to a distant event via light-signal synchronization ⓘ |
| dependsOn | choice of simultaneity convention ⓘ |
| doesNotAffect | two-way speed of light ⓘ |
| formalizes | freedom in defining distant simultaneity ⓘ |
| hasSymbol | ε ⓘ |
| historicalContext | 20th-century discussions of relativity foundations ⓘ |
| introducedBy | Hans Reichenbach NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| isConventional | true ⓘ |
| isDimensionless | true ⓘ |
| motivatedBy | empirical underdetermination of one-way light speed ⓘ |
| relatedConcept |
Edwards–Winnie synchrony
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
gauge freedom in time coordinate choice ⓘ |
| relatesTo |
Einstein synchrony convention
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
one-way speed of light ⓘ |
| standardValueInEinsteinConvention | 1/2 ⓘ |
| usedBy |
philosophers of physics
ⓘ
relativists ⓘ |
| usedInTheory | special relativity NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| valueRange | 0 ≤ ε ≤ 1 ⓘ |
Referenced by (1)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.