B Concept of the stability of the speed of light

[Graham P]

Help with the question of the concept of the stability of the speed of light. I gather that current atomic clocks are based upon the speed of the electron around their nucleus, which is a function of the speed of light. Measurements of the speed of light that depend upon atomic clocks therefore are unable to discriminate whether the objective speed of light is varying. IE, all they can do is ascertain what it is at the moment with respect to the rate of nuclear decay...which like the electron speed is also a function of the speed of light. Is it possible to objectively measure the speed of light, seeing as it is so intricately interwoven with our reference point?

 

[nitsuj]

Help with the question of the concept of the stability of the speed of light. I gather that current atomic clocks are based upon the speed of the electron around their nucleus, which is a function of the speed of light. Measurements of the speed of light that depend upon atomic clocks therefore are unable to discriminate whether the objective speed of light is varying. IE, all they can do is ascertain what it is at the moment with respect to the rate of nuclear decay...which like the electron speed is also a function of the speed of light. Is it possible to objectively measure the speed of light, seeing as it is so intricately interwoven with our reference point?

Are you asking if it's possible to measure and calculate the speed of light and see if it's still the same as last time?

 

[Graham P]

Are you asking if it's possible to measure and calculate the speed of light and see if it's still the same as last time?

Yeah. But using some other means that doesn't depend on the rate of nuclear decay.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Yeah. But using some other means that doesn't depend on the rate of nuclear decay.

Here's a list of methods:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SpeedOfLight/measure_c.html

 

[Graham P]

Here's a list of methods:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SpeedOfLight/measure_c.html

Ok thanks a lot.

 

[Graham P]

the link kindly supplied by bandersnatch relates to a file that is from 2005. Which is a long time ago, considering technical progress! It seems to indicate that no money is being spent on this question due to the fact that the community considers it too difficult. It links variously to http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/ParticleAndNuclear/constants.html. It says that c depends on various constants, which is undoubtedly true, but it looks like it is not c that depends so much on those constants, but the measuring technique that depends on them... for example photons in a vacuum probably aren't too bothered by the mass and electro-magnetic force ratios of two electrons..which takes us back to the start.

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

@Graham P -- The PF is a mainstream scientific website. We do not allow challenges to mainstream science here. the Mentors will re-open this thread for a couple of replies to try to help you with links and resources to answer your literal questions. Then it will be re-closed. Please try to study mainstream science more in your learning. That is the best way to learn about reality.

Thread is re-opened for a bit...