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Joeltk
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If due to redshift, light shifts towards the red end of the spectrum and the energy of photons = hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex], then how does this reduction in energy of the photons not violate the conservation of energy law?
the same way how reduction of kinetic energy of a spaceship as measured by spaceship going in same direction does not violate the conservation of energy. Energy isn't absolute but depends to velocity of observer.Joeltk said:If due to redshift, light shifts towards the red end of the spectrum and the energy of photons = hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex], then how does this reduction in energy of the photons not violate the conservation of energy law?
The conservation of energy is a fundamental scientific principle that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This principle is closely related to the phenomenon of red shift, which is the observed increase in the wavelength of light from distant objects in the universe. This increase in wavelength is due to the expansion of the universe, which causes the energy of the light to be stretched out, resulting in a shift towards the red end of the visible light spectrum.
The red shift observed in light from distant objects in the universe is consistent with the conservation of energy, as it demonstrates that the energy of the light is not being lost or created, but rather transformed due to the expansion of the universe. This is supported by the fact that the total energy in the universe is believed to remain constant, despite the expansion.
No, the conservation of energy is a fundamental principle of physics that applies to all systems, including those affected by red shift. While the energy of light may appear to be increasing due to the red shift, it is simply being transformed from one form to another, and the total energy in the universe remains constant.
The concept of red shift has greatly impacted our understanding of the universe, as it provides evidence for the expansion of the universe and the Big Bang theory. It has also allowed scientists to measure the distance and speed of objects in the universe, providing valuable information for studying the evolution and structure of the universe.
While the conservation of energy and red shift have primarily been studied in the context of astrophysics and cosmology, they also have practical applications in other fields. For example, the understanding of energy conservation has led to the development of renewable energy technologies, and the red shift of light can be used in medical imaging to detect changes in blood flow and oxygenation levels in the body.