Eur. Phys. J. C (2009) 63: 317-322
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-009-1108-x

Regular Article - Theoretical Physics

‘Universal’ FitzGerald contractions

¹ Andronikashvili Institute of Physics, 6 Tamarashvili Street, Tbilisi, 0177, Georgia
² Javakhishvili State University, 3 Chavchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi, 0128, Georgia
³ California State University, 2345 E. San Ramon Avenue M/S MH37, Fresno, CA, 93740-8031, USA

^* e-mail: gogber@gmail.com

Received: 3 February 2009
Revised: 13 June 2009
Published online: 7 August 2009

Abstract

The model of a universe with a preferred frame, which nevertheless shares the main properties with traditional special and general relativity theories, is considered. We adopt Mach’s interpretation of inertia and show that the energy balance equation, which includes the Machian energy of gravitational interactions with the universe, can imitate standard relativistic formulas.