- #1
Agent M27
- 171
- 0
We were covering Lorentz Transformations yesterday in class and going over the derivation from Gallilean transformations. Obviously everyone knows that in Gallilean Transform, it is basically velocity addition depending on which refrence frame the observer is in. When dealing with speeds approaching c, Lorentz is needed to account for the unchanging speed as measured by different observers in different refrence frames. Ok. All of this applies to c as measured in a vacuum, but how would it relate when passing through some medium? I am in the early stages of relativity and my understanding of optics is limited, so bare with me even if this is a frivolous question.
Take the speed of light in water. I don't know by what factor c decreases as it travels in water, but I know it does. If there was an infinite volume through which a submarine could travel, and if the sub was able to travel at .9c, at what velocity would the photons emenate, as measured by an observer in a non inertial refrence frame with respect to the sub? On the surface with my limited understanding I feel that the velocity measured would be equal to that of c in a vacuum. So there would be a small amount of velocity addition due to the refraction index, just not quite .9c + c. Is this correct, or am I totally off on this tangent thought? My professor could not give me an answer, but this does not preclude that there is no answer, just probably outside of his spectrum of knowledge. Thanks in advance.
Joe
Take the speed of light in water. I don't know by what factor c decreases as it travels in water, but I know it does. If there was an infinite volume through which a submarine could travel, and if the sub was able to travel at .9c, at what velocity would the photons emenate, as measured by an observer in a non inertial refrence frame with respect to the sub? On the surface with my limited understanding I feel that the velocity measured would be equal to that of c in a vacuum. So there would be a small amount of velocity addition due to the refraction index, just not quite .9c + c. Is this correct, or am I totally off on this tangent thought? My professor could not give me an answer, but this does not preclude that there is no answer, just probably outside of his spectrum of knowledge. Thanks in advance.
Joe
Last edited: