Can Emission Theory Produce Doppler-Shift Formula?

In summary, the conversation discusses the differences between emission theories and the Doppler effect in relation to the velocity of light. The emission theories suggest that the velocity of light changes depending on the velocity of the light source, while the Doppler effect assumes the velocity of light remains constant. The conversation also touches on the formula for the frequency of reflected light in different scenarios and questions how the original-source emission theory can produce the same formula as special relativity. The text below provides further explanations on emission theories.
  • #1
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Emission theories propose that the velocity of light depends on the velocity of the light source. But the ordinary Doppler effect assumes the velocity of light remains as ##c## with respect to the ether medium, even when the light source is moving at speed ##v## with respect to the ether. They are saying different things, so how could they be consistent?

Explicitly, the original-source emission theory suggests that the velocity of light measured in the ether frame is ##c+v## when the source moves ahead at speed ##v## with respect to the ether, while the Doppler effect says the velocity of light is still ##c##.

Further, for a mirror moving at speed ##v## (with respect to the ether) towards a light source (stationary with respect to the ether), the Doppler effect gives the frequency of the reflected light as ##f=\frac{c+v}{c-v}f_o##, where ##f_o## is the frequency of the incident light. I don't understand how the original-source emission theory could come up with the same formula.

Explanations of the various emission theories are in the text below.

Source: Introduction to Special Relativity by Robert Resnick
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  • #2
Just compute the travel of two wave crests under the assumptions of the original emission theory as you quoted it. You readily arrive at the SR correct formula. Note that this analysis is the same as for SR in the emitter frame.
 

1. Can emission theory explain the observed Doppler shift in light?

No, emission theory cannot fully explain the observed Doppler shift in light. While it does account for some aspects of the phenomenon, it cannot fully explain the observed frequency shift in all situations.

2. What is emission theory?

Emission theory is a scientific hypothesis that proposes that light is emitted by a source in the form of particles or waves. It suggests that the observed properties of light, such as its speed and frequency, are a result of the emission and absorption of these particles or waves.

3. How does emission theory differ from other theories of light?

Emission theory differs from other theories of light, such as the wave theory and the particle theory, in its explanation of the behavior of light. While the wave theory suggests that light is a form of energy that travels through space, and the particle theory suggests that light is made up of tiny particles, emission theory proposes that light is emitted by a source in the form of particles or waves.

4. Can emission theory be tested and proven?

Currently, there is no conclusive evidence to support or disprove emission theory. While it has been tested in various experiments, the results have been inconclusive. Further research and experimentation are needed to determine the validity of emission theory.

5. How does the Doppler-shift formula fit into emission theory?

The Doppler-shift formula, which describes the observed frequency shift in light due to the relative motion between the source and the observer, can be partially explained by emission theory. However, it does not fully account for all aspects of the observed phenomenon, and further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between emission theory and the Doppler-shift formula.

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