Is Einstein's Theory of Relativity Flawed?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter A 15 year old
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the validity of Einstein's Theory of Relativity, particularly questioning whether there are flaws in its formulas regarding the speed of light and the implications for objects traveling at relativistic speeds. Participants explore concepts related to velocity addition, spacetime, and quantum mechanics, with a focus on speculative theories and personal interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • James proposes that if an object travels at 0.95c and launches a projectile at 0.06c, it could theoretically exceed the speed of light, suggesting a concept of "jumping" over dimples in spacetime.
  • Warren challenges James's understanding of velocity addition in relativity, stating that velocities do not add linearly as they do in classical mechanics.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of concepts like "dimples in time" and traveling faster than light, asserting that these ideas do not align with current scientific understanding.
  • Another participant argues that while Einstein's theory is widely accepted, it is not beyond questioning and acknowledges the possibility of future discoveries that could challenge it.
  • There are discussions about the nature of scientific theories and the importance of empirical evidence, with some participants emphasizing that theories can evolve over time.
  • One participant highlights the confusion surrounding relativistic effects, suggesting that visual aids can help in understanding these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the interpretation of Einstein's theory, with some defending its validity and others questioning its completeness. No consensus is reached regarding the existence of flaws in the theory or the validity of speculative ideas presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding of relativity and its implications, leading to some confusion and misinterpretations of the theory. The discussion reflects a mix of personal theories and established scientific principles, with no resolution on the speculative claims made.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the fundamentals of relativity, the nature of scientific theories, and the interplay between established science and speculative ideas.

  • #61
Do Newtons laws apply? Not at high velocities, am I correct? Well, the Earth travels around the sun at 100,000 km per hour. Is that not high velocity? Well , it is said that Newtons laws don't apply at high velocities, or is size and proportion involved?
 
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  • #62
now I am not at all saying that everything in science is wrong by any means.
 
  • #63
A 15 year old said:
Why do planets move in circles around the sun? Gravity you might say. But that is not possible because *IF* in proportion the sun is not big enough to keep entire planets in orbit, in proportion to the gravitational pull on earth. Unless the sun has a huge magnetic core, which we *Think* is not possible based on theories. And if it is magnetic pull, why can't we detect such a huge force here on earth?

Absolute rubbish, where are you getting this from? It's hard to decipher what you actually mean, but let me assure you that as the first theory of gravity was in part designed to describe the motion in the solar system there is no conflict there.
 
  • #64
in the grand sceem of things 100,000 km per hour is not high. it is slow
 
  • #65
  • #66
how do you add a picture under your name? a little off subject.
 
  • #67
A 15 year old said:
Do Newtons laws apply? Not at high velocities, am I correct? Well, the Earth travels around the sun at 100,000 km per hour. Is that not high velocity? Well , it is said that Newtons laws don't apply at high velocities, or is size and proportion involved?

Newton's laws are corrected by special relativity at high relative velocities, however in order to say any signifcant deviation from Newton's laws the relative velocities must be a signifcnt fraction of c (~300,000 km per second). 100km/h is not a significant fraction of c.
 
  • #68
employee #416 said:
In accordance to the currently accepted theory, yes, it is constant. Whether if that theory is right or wrong, I am not allowed to say. :rolleyes:

It's also according to experimental evidence.
 
  • #69
there are three types. http://www.phact.org/e/z/miltperp.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #70
Get a picture. Get a host to host it. Get the URL for it. Copy and paste it into the "Signature" portion in your settings.

http://imageshack.us/index2.php
 
  • #71
thanks A 15 year old. ill try later
 
  • #72
bino said:
ok i understand that you should be able to back up what you said but some things really back up. take perpetul motion, some people think it is impossible but the Earth is moving around the sun with no energy going into it.

The Earth will not perpetually move around the sun. Energy is constantly being lost in the form of gravitational waves.
 
  • #73
where is it at physics network?
 
  • #74
isnt gravity constant? it is pulling at the rate all the time mattering on your distance
 
  • #75
WTF, who is deleting posts?
 
  • #76
A 15 year old said:
Do Newtons laws apply? Not at high velocities, am I correct? Well, the Earth travels around the sun at 100,000 km per hour. Is that not high velocity? Well , it is said that Newtons laws don't apply at high velocities, or is size and proportion involved?

Yes, Newton's laws apply for macroscopic systems. It's just that we have to use relativistic versions of those laws at high speeds. Of course, the relativistic versions are correct at low speeds too.
 
  • #77
A 15 year old said:
WTF, who is deleting posts?

I am. Stop using Physics Forums as a crackpot chat site.
 

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