1306.4775 (S. S. Stepanov)

Are rigid non-inertial frames of reference really rigid?    [PDF]

S. S. Stepanov

In this paper the notion of the rigid frame of reference within special relativity is analysed. Three definitions of rigidity are formulated. By using several examples of non-inertial frames, it is shown that these definitions are not equivalent. It is also shown that so called M\"oller rigid non-inertial frames are locally rigid, but do not exhibit global rigidity. The physical meaning of this phenomenon is discussed, as well as its relation to the non-Euclidean nature of space in non-inertial frames of reference. (russian version)

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1306.4775