On the consistency of the postulates of special relativity

Abstract

The special theory of relativity is based on two postulates: (I) All inertial frames are equivalent for the performance of physical experiments; and (II) the velocity of light is a universal constant. It is shown that if postulate I is true, then postulate II is not true, and if postulate II is true, then postulate I is not true. Further, it is shown that the only possible velocity consistent with postulate I follows the rule that the velocity of light with respect to the observer is equal to the velocity of light with respect to the source plus the velocity of the source with respect to the observer.