Check My Relativity Video for an Engineer | Answer His Question on Light's Speed

[zimbabwe]

I made a relativity video for my father as he's been asking a long time.

His question is basically how can light always travel at the same speed no matter where you are. So to answer it and since he's far away I made this video



If someone could check it and let me know if it's wrong or any points are unclear before I send it to him. He worked as an engineer so the maths should be OK.

 

[Mentz114]

It seems accurate to me. But I don't think you've achieved an explanation of why every observer sees light traveling at the same speed. You've demonstrated via the transverse light clock that time dilation happens.

One reason ( rather than an explanation ) is that Maxwell's equations tell us that the speed of light is a function of two universal constants ( scalars) which are naturally Lorentz invariant.

 

[Bill_K]

One reason ( rather than an explanation ) is that Maxwell's equations tell us that the speed of light is a function of two universal constants ( scalars) which are naturally Lorentz invariant.

Nothing could illustrate better than this, the harm done by teaching SI units. The speed of light is not "a function of two universal constants". Look up 'Gaussian units' on Wikipedia, and read how ε₀ and μ₀ are not in any way fundamental, just an artifact of the SI unit system.

 

[Meir Achuz]

Thank you Bill.

 

[zimbabwe]

Thank you I've put your comment up on the video. When I finished it, I did start wondering how length contraction plays a role. I haven't really heard much about Gaussian units but I will give it a go.

 

[Mentz114]

Nothing could illustrate better than this, the harm done by teaching SI units. The speed of light is not "a function of two universal constants". Look up 'Gaussian units' on Wikipedia, and read how ε₀ and μ₀ are not in any way fundamental, just an artifact of the SI unit system.

Oh, that's a shock to me. So the idea that ε₀ and μ₀ are 'properties' is wrong ?

Does this mean that Maxwell's equations give no support to the assertion that the speed of light is locally the same ?