Sun's Absolute Velocity: Molecular Measurements & Vacuum Experiments

[cronxeh]

If we are moving around the Sun at 18.5 miles/second, and Sun moves within the Milky Way at 155 miles/second, while the Milky Way moves within the Local Group at 185 miles/second, which in turns moves towards the Great Attractor at 300-400 miles/second.. so absolute speed of the Sun, measured against microwave background, has been measured to be around 400 miles/second. [see first picture]

My question is this. If we are constantly moving, how does it affect our measurements on a molecular level? [see second picture]. Wouldnt it affect all measurements associated with vacuum or quantum mechanical experiments, or even make it impossible to ever achieve absolutely zero? Since if you have velocity then you must have energy associated with it?

 

[russ_watters]

If we are constantly moving...

Every formulation of physics has included relativity, which says that whether or not you are moving depends on your frame of reference and the laws of the universe will work regardless.

Ie, if you accelerate in a spaceship to just under the speed of light, will your coffee start to boil on its own? No.

 

[cronxeh]

yes but how do we know for sure if there is no influence from such movement? if you stir a cup of coffee some heavier particles will move slower and sink deeper. this is very 'out there' but still - the coffee is affected by the gravity even if the frame is relevant to it's dimensions. the sheer size of the universe is not fully known and not all forces are accounted for. how do you say for sure that there is absolutely no other force acting on everyday life phenomena other than the ones that we already have. it may be a nonlinear difference and one that can't be really seen - but there are still some inconsistancies and we still haven't found GUT or TOE.

Edit: I don't think relativety has been applied to any transport phenomena or to be exact, to anything. I don't know one formula that uses relativety, yet it 'kinda' works. But when it doesn't really work as planned people tend to look elsewhere - but is this fact ever considered that we are [ constantly moving and our direction is constantly changing as well as our spin ] in addition to any other force applied to any particle?

 

[russ_watters]

yes but how do we know for sure if there is no influence from such movement?

You can measure it directly with a large number of experiments starting with the Michelson-Morley experiment.

I don't think relativety has been applied to any transport phenomena or to be exact, to anything. I don't know one formula that uses relativety, yet it 'kinda' works.

I don't understand - the math is the theory. The popular description is just that - a popular description. Relativity is relevant to a vast number of every-day pieces of technology that we use, including a nuber of components of your computer. There is a thread in the Relativity forum about what would be different if C were not constant. In short: everything.

And remember, this isn't just Einstein's version we're talking about here. If Newton's relativity didn't work (in its domain), you wouldn't be able to play catch because you'd kill your dad with a 1000mph fastball...