Can Light Accelerate When Changing Direction?

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Light maintains a constant speed in a vacuum but can appear to accelerate when changing direction, particularly when passing through varying densities, such as in the Brachistochrone curve scenario. In a rotating reference frame, light can exhibit coordinate acceleration, which complicates its behavior. The discussion touches on the concept of momentum conservation, suggesting that the deflection of light by a prism could be measurable in terms of force. A thought experiment involving the weight change of a prism when light is turned on or off is mentioned, highlighting the complexities of light's interaction with matter. Overall, the conversation explores the nuances of light's behavior under different conditions and frames of reference.
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I know that light is always at constant speed but does it ever accelerate when changing direction, if you put light through lots of different densities it curves into the Brachistochrone curve, would that be an instance of light acceleration.
 
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Lunct said:
I know that light is always at constant speed
In vacuum.
Lunct said:
but does it ever accelerate when changing direction, if you put light through lots of different densities it curves into the Brachistochrone curve, would that be an instance of light acceleration.
I guess you can call that acceleration, yes.

You can get a speed that changes continuously if you send it through a variable medium, e.g. through the atmosphere vertically (as the speed of light at sea level pressure is lower than the speed of light higher up).
 
Lunct said:
I know that light is always at constant speed but does it ever accelerate when changing direction, if you put light through lots of different densities it curves into the Brachistochrone curve, would that be an instance of light acceleration.
In a rotating reference frame light does accelerate in a vacuum
 
Dale said:
In a rotating reference frame light does accelerate in a vacuum
Coordinate acceleration ... You might as well say it does not have constant speed.
 
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Orodruin said:
Coordinate acceleration ... You might as well say it does not have constant speed.
Yes
 
Lunct said:
I know that light is always at constant speed but does it ever accelerate when changing direction, if you put light through lots of different densities it curves into the Brachistochrone curve, would that be an instance of light acceleration.

I recall someone posted a homework question that went something like...

A beam of light is bent by a prism mounted on sensitive weighing scales. Calculate the apparent change in weight when the light is turned on/off.
 
That's certainly a valid thought experiment. Momentum will be conserved.
 
With angular momentum, it is a real experiment (with a different focus, however).

The force from deflection in a prism should be measurable as well, but I'm not aware of specific experiments.
 

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