Can Spinning a Crystal Distort Time? This Experiment Says Yes—Without Einstein

Soumendra Nath Thakur

Tagore's Electronic Lab, India

May 10, 2025

In a laboratory experiment, scientists spun a special type of crystal called a piezoelectric—a material known for generating electricity when it's squeezed or stretched. But here’s the twist: they didn’t apply any power at all. They simply rotated the crystal, and it began to generate a clean 50 Hz electrical signal entirely on its own.

Even more curious? That signal started to drift in time. Imagine a metronome ticking, but each tick slowly shifting forward. This steady “phase shift” wasn’t noise or error—it was perfectly matched to how fast the crystal was spinning. That means the act of rotating the crystal was somehow affecting the timing of the signal it produced.

So what’s going on?

This surprising behaviour actually fits beautifully with the fundamental principles of piezoelectricity: the internal structure of the crystal responds to mechanical stress—in this case, the stresses caused by rotation. But there’s a deeper message. The experiment points to a bold new idea called Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM), which suggests that motion—especially acceleration—can change how time flows inside matter.

In short, this crystal didn’t just make electricity—it acted like a clock whose rhythm was bent by motion. No need for satellites or speed-of-light travel—just an ordinary device showing that even here on Earth, motion can subtly reshape time.

This ground breaking result opens new doors for precision sensors, navigation tech, and even how we understand time itself. Sometimes, spinning a crystal is all it takes to shake up physics.

Experimental Phase Shift in Rotating Piezoelectric Device

Soumendra Nath Thakur
Tagore's Electronic Lab, India
May 10, 2025

This experiment used a piezoelectric crystal—materials that can turn mechanical pressure into electrical signals—to explore how motion affects time. Normally, piezoelectric devices need electricity to work, but here, no electricity was applied. Instead, the crystal was simply rotated.

Surprisingly, the crystal started producing a clear 50 Hz electrical signal all on its own, and more importantly, that signal began to slowly drift in phase, meaning its timing was shifting little by little—like a second hand running slightly ahead or behind on a clock. This shift wasn’t random; it matched the speed of rotation, showing that the motion itself was causing a change in the crystal’s internal behaviour.

This lines up perfectly with how piezoelectric materials work: when they're squeezed, stretched, or rotated, their structure changes in ways that can generate electricity. The experiment showed that rotation was enough to create internal stresses in the crystal that made it behave like a tiny self-powered clock—one whose timing was subtly altered just by being spun.

These findings support a new physics idea called Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM), which says that motion—especially acceleration—can directly affect how time flows inside matter. The phase drift we saw in the experiment is like a fingerprint of this effect. So in simple terms: spinning the crystal made it create its own voltage and shift its timing, proving that motion can affect time in a measurable, physical way—without needing relativity or space travel.

Relativity does not have a mathematical explanation for why the speed of light is c:

May 09, 2025

The assertion that "Relativity does not have a mathematical explanation for why the speed of light is c" is fundamentally correct. In special relativity, the invariance of the speed of light is not derived from first principles but postulated as a foundational axiom. While Maxwell’s equations predict that electromagnetic waves propagate at a fixed speed c in vacuum, these equations are formulated within particular reference frames and do not inherently explain why this speed should remain invariant across all inertial observers. Special relativity adopts this invariance as its second postulate: that the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. As such, the value of c is not mathematically deduced from within relativity—it is assumed.

In standard relativity, photons are treated as massless (rest mass m = 0), yet they carry energy and momentum, implying an effective inertial influence. In Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM), this leads to a re-interpretation: photons and other massless particles can exhibit negative apparent mass (Mᵃᵖᵖ < 0) due to their kinetic energy characteristics. This challenges the conventional notion of masslessness by introducing a dynamical interpretation tied to acceleration and force. Similarly, in cosmological contexts, dark energy—such as that inferred in studies by A. D. Chernin et al. on the Coma Cluster—is interpreted as having negative effective mass, a view consistent with ECM’s framework.

Within ECM, particles exhibiting negative apparent mass—such as photons emitted from gravitationally bound systems—tend toward unbounded propagation speeds. This provides an alternative explanation for the observed superluminal recession of distant galaxies, where the recession is not merely a relativistic artifact of metric expansion, but a real, force-driven phenomenon resulting from gravitational–antigravitational interaction. Specifically, such recession occurs when the negative effective mass component dominates over the matter mass, producing a net repulsive dynamic. Here, "unbounded" refers to the mathematical tendency of speed to diverge as apparent mass becomes increasingly negative or frequency increases without bound.

However, ECM also acknowledges that physical unboundedness is constrained by fundamental quantum limits. The Planck scale introduces the smallest meaningful physical quantities—the Planck length (Lₚ) and Planck time (Tₚ)—which naturally impose an upper bound on velocity. This bound is expressed through the ratio:

  c = Lₚ / Tₚ

This expression does not emerge from relativity itself but from dimensional considerations in quantum gravity. It defines the maximum attainable speed for any propagation process, including those involving particles with Mᵃᵖᵖ < 0. While mathematical models may suggest speeds approaching infinity, the Planck scale sets a physical boundary, beyond which further acceleration or frequency increase ceases to be meaningful or measurable. In this way, ECM preserves causal consistency and enforces a speed limit—not as a postulate of relativity or a consequence of spacetime curvature, but as a boundary arising from the discrete, physical limits imposed by the Planck scale.

Regards,

Soumendra Nath Thakur

ECM Interpretation: Motion-Induced Time Distortion

May 07, 2025

Within the framework of Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM), rotational systems undergoing high-speed motion exhibit not only effective acceleration but also time-modulating behaviour that emerges from internal energy-phase interactions. This time modulation—termed time distortion in ECM—is categorically distinct from relativistic "time dilation." ECM rejects the curvature of spacetime and instead attributes observable temporal deviations to phase distortion in frequency-based systems, where apparent mass and dynamic acceleration dictate energy redistribution.

In the observed experiment, a piezoelectric crystal is subjected to rotation at 3000 RPM (50 Hz) at a radius of 1.5915 m. When initiated from a null bias—that is, with no external voltage applied before rotation—the device spontaneously generates a 50 Hz voltage signal and undergoes a cumulative phase shift of 18,000° per second. This phase shift acts as a measurable temporal displacement caused solely by rotational acceleration and mechanical stress within the crystal structure.

Under ideal (biased) conditions, where the crystal is pre-energized but stationary, it oscillates at its nominal frequency (50 Hz), producing a stable waveform with no external influence on phase. However, when the same device is rotated while voltage is already applied, an additional 18,000°/s phase shift appears—representing incremental time distortion relative to the ideal waveform. Initiating from a null bias serves as a deductive method to isolate and quantify motion-induced time distortion as distinct from signal input effects.

In ECM terms:

• Effective force is defined by the interplay between matter mass (Mᴍ) and negative apparent mass (Mᵃᵖᵖ < 0), which reflects inertia-based energy deficits under acceleration.

• Periodic acceleration in rotating systems sustains a dynamic energy exchange, leading to an evolving phase profile.

• Phase evolution is treated as a direct proxy for time evolution, implying that the effective flow of time is modulated by acceleration-driven phase progression.

Thus, ECM does not assert that "clocks tick slower" in the relativistic sense, but that event timing—encoded in phase—is distorted due to continuous mechanical interactions. The resulting time distortion is not an illusion of frame-dependent geometry but a real, measurable shift in the system’s temporal evolution driven by internal dynamics.

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Material Basis of Time-Dependent Phase Shift in Rotating Piezoelectric Systems

The phenomenon of time distortion in the rotating piezoelectric crystal is intrinsically linked to the material's electromechanical properties. Quartz and synthetic piezoelectric materials convert periodic mechanical stress—induced here by rotational acceleration—into a voltage signal, precisely at the rotational frequency (50 Hz).

Quartz, with high thermal and mechanical stability, maintains phase fidelity under rotation, which contributes to the sharp consistency of the observed 18000°/s phase evolution. Synthetic variants, while more sensitive and economical, trade long-term stability for responsiveness, making them suitable for high-frequency, shock, and vibration detection.

The generated voltage phase is not merely a passive output but an active phase-time marker. As the crystal oscillates due to internal lattice stress, it encodes the ongoing phase shift in its voltage waveform. This makes the observed frequency and phase not just a signal but a direct expression of temporal modulation imposed by rotational dynamics.

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Frequency, Apparent Mass, and the Energetic Basis of Phase-Time Displacement

Within ECM, the relationship between frequency, energy, and apparent mass provides a physical foundation for understanding time distortion as a function of motion.

The total energy of a frequency-based system is expressed as:

• Eₜₒₜₐₗ = hf,
  where h is Planck's constant and f is frequency.

In ECM, this energy is equated to the energetic signature of a negative effective mass:

• Eₜₒₜₐₗ = −Mᵉᶠᶠc²,
  implying that −Mᵉᶠᶠ = f / c²

This identification leads to the insight that frequency itself is a mass-equivalent quantity under ECM: as frequency increases due to acceleration-induced phase shift, the associated (negative) apparent mass increases in magnitude. This negative mass does not represent real substance but rather a deficit in mechanical inertia resulting from internal stress-energy redistribution.

The effective force driving the time distortion is thus governed by:

• Fᴇᴄᴍ = −2Mᵃᵖᵖ × aᵉᶠᶠ

Here, the factor of 2 arises from ECM’s dynamic coupling model, and the negative sign reflects the directional opposition between inertial resistance (Mᵃᵖᵖ) and motion-induced energy flow.

Therefore, the observed 50 Hz frequency and 18,000°/s phase shift in the rotating system correspond to an effective mass-frequency conversion. The continuous phase progression can now be interpreted as a manifestation of energy displacement governed by:

• Rotational acceleration (aᵉᶠᶠ)

• Apparent mass (Mᵃᵖᵖ)

• Frequency-linked energy (hf)

These factors collectively modulate the system’s phase-time structure, yielding measurable time distortion without invoking relativistic geometry or spacetime curvature.

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Summary

The experimental findings—namely, the spontaneous emergence of a 50 Hz signal and a consistent 18000°/s phase shift in a bias-free rotating piezoelectric device—are consistent with ECM predictions:

• Centripetal acceleration generates mechanical stress.

• Stress converts directly to voltage via the piezoelectric effect.

• Voltage phase shift reveals internal time distortion, not due to relativistic dilation but phase displacement.

• The time distortion is encoded in frequency and apparent mass via negative effective mass-energy relationships.

These observations validate ECM’s rejection of spacetime curvature and its reinterpretation of temporal effects as frequency-driven, mass-mediated phase distortions—providing a robust alternative framework for understanding time evolution in dynamically accelerated systems.

Rotational Phase Shift and Time Distortion in a Rapidly Rotating Piezoelectric System:

Soumendra Nath Thakur

ORCiD: 0000-0003-1871-7803

Tagore's Electronic Lab, WB, India

May 06, 2025

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24780.32640   

Description: 

Experimental Findings A piezoelectric crystal device, when rotated at a high speed of 3000 RPM (equivalent to 50 Hz) at a radial distance of approximately 1.5915 meters from a central axis, spontaneously generates an alternating voltage signal with a frequency of 50 Hz. Notably, this signal arises without any external electrical bias applied to the system, indicating that the mechanical motion alone is sufficient to activate the piezoelectric effect. Over a one-second interval, the generated waveform exhibits a cumulative phase shift of 18,000 degrees, corresponding to a full 360° shift per rotational cycle. This direct synchronization between rotational motion and phase progression suggests that the physical acceleration imposed on the crystal structure induces a continuous and periodic internal stress. The resulting mechanical deformation gives rise to an alternating electrical output consistent with the inherent frequency of rotation. The phase shift observed acts as a precise indicator of temporal evolution within the system, effectively converting the rotational motion into a measurable time-dependent signal. Within the framework of Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM), this phenomenon supports the interpretation that sustained acceleration and inertial dynamics can induce measurable distortions in local time flow—expressed here as continuous phase displacement in the output signal. Material selection plays a key role: stable piezoelectric crystals such as quartz exhibit consistent phase-time correlation under sustained rotation, while synthetic materials with higher sensitivity may enhance the amplitude of generated signals in dynamic conditions. In either case, the mechanical-to-electrical energy transformation directly links the material's internal structure with externally imposed motion, producing a phase-encoded temporal signature. These findings validate a cohesive model wherein the rotational acceleration of a piezoelectric device results in not only stress-induced voltage generation but also in the modulation of time as expressed through waveform phase evolution. The result provides experimental support for ECM’s interpretation of motion-induced time distortion, where time is dynamically linked to motion and phase, rather than being an invariant external parameter.

In an electronics laboratory, when a piezoelectric crystal device is rapidly rotated at 3000 RPM (equivalent to a rotational frequency of 50 Hz) at a radius of 1.5915 meters from a central source point, an alternating current (AC) signal with a frequency of 50 cycles per second is observed. Over a time interval of 1 second, this rotation corresponds to a phase shift of 18000° per second, beginning from a null bias—that is, no external voltage is applied to the device prior to rotation. The spontaneous generation of voltage during rotation indicates a direct link between angular motion and time-dependent phase change. The consistent appearance of a 50 Hz signal, synchronized with rotational motion and phase progression, supports the interpretation that motion induces time distortion effects through continuous phase shift in the generated frequency. This reinforces the physical correlation between rotation-induced acceleration, phase evolution, and the apparent modulation of time, in agreement with extended classical mechanics (ECM) principles.

Theoretical Justification: Rotational Phase Shift and Time Distortion in a Piezoelectric System

The experimental observation of voltage generation in a piezoelectric crystal rotating at high speed without any external electrical bias can be theoretically justified by combining classical mechanics, wave dynamics, and the principles of Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM). Here's a breakdown of the justification:

1. Mechanical Basis: Rotational Acceleration and Inertial Force

When the piezoelectric device is rotated at 3000 RPM (50 Hz) at a radius of 1.5915 m, it experiences a centripetal acceleration given by:

a = ω²r = (2πf)²r = (2π × 50)² × 1.5915 ≈ 98696.04 m/s²

This high acceleration acts on the mass lattice within the piezoelectric crystal, generating internal mechanical stress due to the inertial resistance of the crystal’s structure.

2. Piezoelectric Effect: Stress-Induced Voltage Generation

In a piezoelectric material, mechanical stress directly results in electrical polarization due to the asymmetry of the crystal lattice. The stress induced by rotational acceleration thus causes a redistribution of charge, producing an alternating voltage output—even in the absence of a bias voltage.

Since the mechanical stress is periodic (from rotation), the resulting voltage is also periodic, with a frequency matching the rotational frequency: 50 Hz.

3. Phase Shift as a Manifestation of Time Evolution

The observation of a phase shift of 18000°/s corresponds to:

Phase shift per cycle = 18000°/50 cycles/sec = 360° per cycle

This is precisely the angular phase evolution expected for a sinusoidal waveform completing one full cycle per rotation.

Thus, the phase shift accumulates over time and directly tracks the temporal evolution of the oscillatory motion. This validates the relation:

x°/360f = Δtₓ

This shows that phase displacement can be interpreted as a temporal measure in systems undergoing periodic motion, consistent with ECM's concept of phase-driven time modulation.

4. ECM Interpretation: Motion-Induced Time Distortion

Within Extended Classical Mechanics, rotational systems exhibit effective acceleration, and the apparent mass-energy conversion associated with kinetic energy can influence local time evolution. Specifically:

• The effective force in ECM is determined by differences between matter mass (Mᴍ) and apparent mass (Mᵃᵖᵖ < 0).

• The periodic acceleration in rotation induces continuous energy exchange, leading to a measurable phase shift.

• This phase shift is equivalent to a temporal displacement, implying that motion modifies the effective flow of time—an interpretation consistent with relativistic and ECM-based principles.

Hence, the system exhibits time distortion not by altering physical clocks, but by altering phase-based event timing, measurable as a voltage phase shift in the output.

5. Material Basis of Time-Dependent Phase Shift in Rotating Piezoelectric Systems

The behaviour of the piezoelectric device under rotational motion is inherently tied to the electromechanical properties of the materials involved. A piezoelectric transducer, operating at 50 Hz, generates an electrostatic charge or measurable voltage in response to mechanical stress—an effect directly exploited in the observed experiment.

The most commonly used materials for this purpose include quartz, Rochelle salt, and synthetic compounds such as barium titanate and lead zirconate titanate. Of these, quartz exhibits exceptional thermal and mechanical stability, making it the preferred material in single-cut crystal oscillators for high-precision applications. Its stability under rotation contributes to the consistent frequency output and clear phase correlation seen in this experiment.

In contrast, synthetic piezoelectric materials—though less stable than quartz—offer higher sensitivity and lower manufacturing costs, which make them ideal for dynamic sensing applications involving rapidly varying mechanical inputs such as shock, vibration, or acceleration changes. These materials are often used in stacked configurations to amplify signal generation in real-time monitoring of mechanical disturbances.

In the context of high-speed rotation at 3000 RPM, the periodic mechanical stress imposed on the crystal lattice generates an alternating voltage signal synchronized with the rotational frequency. The generation of this 50 Hz output without any external bias directly links the material's internal stress response to the dynamic inertial forces experienced during rotation.

Most significantly, the voltage waveform’s phase evolution at a rate of 18000°/s arises from this material-specific piezoelectric interaction with rotational acceleration. This serves not merely as a passive signal but as an active phase-time marker, encoding the continuous temporal evolution of motion—thereby reinforcing the interpretation of motion-induced time distortion in line with Extended Classical Mechanics (ECM) principles.

Thus, the physical realization of time-modulating behaviour in rotating piezoelectric systems is inseparable from the material science foundations of piezoelectricity. The choice and configuration of the piezoelectric element determine not only the sensitivity and fidelity of the generated voltage signal but also the precision with which phase-time displacement can be measured and interpreted in rotating reference frames.

Note: 

In the observed experiment, the rotation corresponds to a phase shift of 18,000° per second, beginning from a null bias—that is, no external voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device prior to rotation. This represents a non-ideal operational condition for the crystal.

Under ideal conditions, the device remains stationary, and a specified voltage is applied. In this configuration, the crystal oscillates at its nominal frequency of 50 Hz, generating a stable signal with no additional phase shift—only the ideal oscillation of 50 cycles per second.

However, if the voltage-applied piezoelectric device is rotated at 3000 RPM, which corresponds to a rotational frequency of 50 Hz, an additional phase shift of 18,000° per second is introduced. This phase shift begins from a biased condition (i.e., voltage already applied) and results in a time distortion relative to the ideal oscillation.

Therefore, initiating the experiment from a null bias—without applying voltage before rotation—serves as a deductive method to isolate and determine the exact time distortion caused by rotational phase shift under unbiased conditions.

Summary

The spontaneous generation of a 50 Hz signal and the associated 18000°/s phase shift in a bias-free rotating piezoelectric device are consistent with:

• Classical centripetal acceleration and mechanical stress,

• The direct stress-to-voltage conversion of the piezoelectric effect,

• Phase-time equivalence in periodic systems,

• And ECM’s interpretation of motion-driven time distortion.

This provides a cohesive physical and theoretical framework supporting the experimental observation and broadens the understanding of time modulation in dynamically accelerated systems.

Figure-1: Graphical representation of the voltage signal generated by the rotating piezoelectric device. It shows a sinusoidal waveform with a frequency of 50 Hz and a continuously increasing phase, corresponding to a total shift of 18000° over 1 second. This supports your experimental claim of phase-time displacement due to rotational acceleration.