- #1
Ian432
- 21
- 1
Let's say that, for the purpose of a thought experiment, I want to use the following as a calculation of the speed of light. Assume the following scene is an inertial, non-accelerated frame.
1. I have two clocks, A and B, which start out one millimeter from each other, and are perfectly synchronized.
2. I slowly displace clock B until it is 10 km away from clock A.
3. I shine a light beam from clock A to clock B.
4. I compute time T as the difference between the time the beam was shone from clock A, to the time the beam hits clock B.
5. I compute the speed of light as (10 km) / T.
Q1. Would the physics community consider the calculation in step 5 to be a legitimate calculation of the speed of light (for the purposes of a thought experiment)?
Q2: Is there any inertial, non-accelerated frame of reference in which the above calculation would NOT be considered a legitimate calculation of the speed of light?
I am setting the stage for future questions, but first I want to make sure I have a basic understanding of the way c can be "thought-calculated."
1. I have two clocks, A and B, which start out one millimeter from each other, and are perfectly synchronized.
2. I slowly displace clock B until it is 10 km away from clock A.
3. I shine a light beam from clock A to clock B.
4. I compute time T as the difference between the time the beam was shone from clock A, to the time the beam hits clock B.
5. I compute the speed of light as (10 km) / T.
Q1. Would the physics community consider the calculation in step 5 to be a legitimate calculation of the speed of light (for the purposes of a thought experiment)?
Q2: Is there any inertial, non-accelerated frame of reference in which the above calculation would NOT be considered a legitimate calculation of the speed of light?
I am setting the stage for future questions, but first I want to make sure I have a basic understanding of the way c can be "thought-calculated."