In Special Theory of Relativity time is considered to be the 4 th dimension of space-time as a consequence of Lorentz invariance and Minkowski metric, in turn based on the invariance of light speed c. In this paper we'll show that, starting only from universal postulates as homogeneity of space and time and Principle of Relativity, we can obtain space and time transformations (as the Lorentz and Tangherlini-Selleri ones) characterized by an invariant speed generally different than c. These results determine crucial difficulties in the assumption of Minkowski metric and consequently in the interpretation of physical time t as the 4 th component of space-time, also introducing a "relativity" feature in the velocity of light c in vacuum being no longer considerable as a necessarily universal invariant quantity and depending on the physical properties of space which originate from quantum vacuum. A novel interpretation of time, coherent with these results, defined as duration of material change in space, i.e. motion, is finally proposed.

In a previous paper we have shown it is possible to build alternative versions of Special Theory of Relativity only considering homogeneity of space, of time and Relative Principle without invoking the postulate of invariance of light velocity in all the inertial frames. Within these alternatives, space and time transformations different than the Lorentz ones like, in particular, the Selleri inertial transformations, are possible. This has many important consequences as, for example, the need for the distinction between physical time as duration of change in space and mathematical time as a parameter quantifying this change as well as the anisotropy of one-way velocity of light. These results require a reformulation and a new understanding of relativistic energy and mass. In this paper we'll firstly show that, using only classical laws of Newtonian mechanics, classical electrodynamics and fundamental physical principles of homogeneity of space and time without referring to Theory of Relativity at all, it is possible to derive the correct form of fundamental equation 2 0 E mc = , the relativistic energy and momentum of a free particle in a preferred inertial frame. This makes relativistic energy and mass to assume a realistic physical meaning and an unambiguous definition only when referred to this preferred inertial frame identified by inertial transformations. This special universal meaning of energy, not recognized by standard Theory of Relativity, in which relativistic energy can assume different and independent values in all the possible infinite inertial frames, appears to be related to the fundamental invariance properties of space itself on which inertial transformations are based. In order to explain the origin of relativistic energy and mass, a novel physical model, also coherent with experimental results, has been then proposed. According to our model, mass could be considered as a conventional view of more fundamental properties of space emerging from a quantum vacuum, ruled by the Planck metric, in which the most fundamental physical entity is represented by energy density. In this picture relativistic mass and energy are coherently expressed as a measure of the diminished energy density of quantum vacuum.

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The physical understanding of the real mechanism of gravity is one of the most important questions in Physics. As we have already shown in a previous paper, the rest and relativistic mass of an elementary particle or body can be considered as having their origin in the diminished energy density of a Quantum Vacuum, characterized by a granular structure quantized through a Planck metric. The presence of massive bodies, from the scale of elementary particles to that of stellar objects and black holes, then determines Quantum Vacuum energy density gradients. In this paper we have proposed a novel physical model in which gravity is generated by the pressure of Quantum Vacuum in the direction of its own higher to lower density due to the presence of material objects or particles. In this picture gravity is an immediate and not-propagating action-at-a-distance interaction, resulting from the Quantum Vacuum dynamics, in turn related to fundamental properties of space itself only, not requiring the existence of the hypothetical graviton. Furthermore, the possibility to consider this Quantum Vacuum as a Bose-Einstein like condensate allows us to recover the large-scale description of the Universe consistent with General Relativity, viewed as the long-wavelength geometro-hydrodynamic limit of the Quantum Vacuum dynamics. The proposed model is also able to give a very simple explanation of: the equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass, the origin and dynamical behavior of dark matter and dark energy, the physical meaning of singularity in black hole, as well as to overcome some of the main difficulties of the Higgs model. Finally this model of gravity can be used as a starting point for a novel interpretation of the recently published data of BICEP2 radio telescope about the presumed indirect observation of gravitational waves.

Abstract:The idea of manipulating and using the energy associated to electrodynamic quantum vacuum, also known as Zero Point Energy (ZPE), for technological applications as, for example, interstellar space propulsion, represents one of the most challenging question both in theoretical and applied physics. During the past years B.Haish, A.Rueda and H.E.Puthoff proposed a model according to which inertia could be considered as the electromagnetic reaction force to interaction between a body and quantum vacuum zero point field (ZPF), opening interesting perspectives about manipulating inertia by electromagnetic fields. Nevertheless this theory, although interesting from both a theoretical and applicative point of view, is for from being complete and presents some questionable points. More recent results have suggested a novel model of quantum vacuum, ruled by "Planck metric" and characterized by an energy density field, able to give a novel interpretation of mass and gravity in terms of variation of such energy density. In this paper we'll propose an extension of this model allowing the theoretical possibility of inertia and gravity strength manipulation, as well as a more fundamental theoretical explanation of some assumptions of the Haish, Rueda and Puthoff model. In particular, it will be shown that not only inertia but gravitational "constant" as well can be expressed as functions of quantum vacuum energy density, analyzing their relationships with the electromagnetic field, described by vector potential. Finally we will discuss the possibility of space propulsion system by considering the interaction between the zero-point field of the quantum vacuum and the high potential electric field generated in an asymmetrical capacitor, showing the resulting force is driven by quantum vacuum energy density.