How would Cherenkov radiation play into GR, the dolphins' version?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores a hypothetical scenario where dolphins, perceiving the universe as a vast ocean, develop their own version of general relativity. It questions how their understanding would differ from humans, particularly in light of the fact that certain particles can radiate faster than light in water. The conversation suggests that while their theory might parallel the human version, the constant "c" would represent the maximum speed of radiation in water rather than in a vacuum. Additionally, it raises questions about the dolphins' technological capabilities, specifically whether they could construct a Michelson interferometer but lack the means to create a vacuum chamber for testing, highlighting the limitations of their scientific advancements in this ocean-centric context.
EnumaElish
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If dolphins thought the universe was just a really big ocean, and if they had come up with the theory of general relativity, how would the fact that certain particles radiate faster than light through water shape their version of the theory? Would it be essentially the same with the human version, except "c" would denote the speed of the fastest measured (or the fastest possible) radiation in water?
 
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EnumaElish said:
If dolphins thought the universe was just a really big ocean, and if they had come up with the theory of general relativity, how would the fact that certain particles radiate faster than light through water shape their version of the theory? Would it be essentially the same with the human version, except "c" would denote the speed of the fastest measured (or the fastest possible) radiation in water?
So are these hypothetical dolphins capable of building a Michelson interferometer but incapable of building a vacuum chamber in which to test it?
 
russ_watters said:
So are these hypothetical dolphins capable of building a Michelson interferometer but incapable of building a vacuum chamber in which to test it?

That's the premise, "in a seashell." I am not going to attempt to justify it.
 
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