Inaccuracy in the speed of light

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the measurement of the speed of light and the implications of relative motion on this measurement. It is established that the speed of light remains constant at approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (c) in all inertial frames of reference, as per the principles of Special Relativity (SR). The conversation highlights that while observers in different frames may perceive varying velocities for other objects, the speed of light does not add to other speeds in the manner assumed by the original poster. The Lorentz transform is cited as the mathematical foundation for understanding these relativistic effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Special Relativity (SR)
  • Familiarity with the Lorentz transform
  • Basic knowledge of inertial frames of reference
  • Concept of relative velocity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Lorentz transform in detail to grasp its implications in relativity.
  • Explore the concept of inertial frames of reference and their significance in physics.
  • Investigate the empirical evidence supporting the constancy of the speed of light.
  • Learn about the velocity addition formula in Special Relativity and its applications.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of Special Relativity and the nature of light speed measurements.

  • #31
My two cents for the OP:
RyanXXVI said:
Imagine a system with a laser and a receiver with the ability to detect when light from the laser reaches it. There is also a console equidistant from both the receiver and the laser which sends a signal to each instrument, making the laser turn on and the receiver start a timer. The distance between the receiver and the laser is known and everything is stationary. When the receiver receives the light, the timer stops, then does a calculation to discover the speed of light.

In that situation, the result would be completely accurate. However, now imagine a situation where the whole system was moving in one direction at a speed. This would skew the results
Yes, yes, yes.
RyanXXVI said:
The true speed of light would be the calculated speed plus the speed of the system.
No.
To avoid belives, you would have to set an experiment that measures the speed of light of the moving system, and you would find the astonishing fact that the result you obtain and the one obtained by your friend moving with the system agree.
RyanXXVI said:
Of course, this would be un-calculable if the speed of the system was unknown. Also, to any observer in this system, the system would be stationary.
Yes.

If things behaved like classical mechanics predict it to, we would not speak of the speed of light.(evenless the true speed)
 

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