Speed of light for accelerated frames

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the invariance of the speed of light in the context of accelerated frames, exploring whether local measurements uphold the constancy of light speed and how coordinate systems affect this perception.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the speed of light is invariant in local measurements, consistently yielding the value c.
  • Others emphasize the importance of the term "local," suggesting that the invariance holds under specific coordinate systems associated with the world line of a moving object.
  • A later reply introduces the idea that if arbitrary coordinate systems are considered, the speed of light could vary depending on those definitions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the invariance of the speed of light in accelerated frames, with no consensus reached regarding the implications of coordinate systems.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations related to the assumptions made about coordinate systems and the definitions of local measurements, which remain unresolved.

neyzenilhan
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is speed of light invariant for accelerated frames?
 
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neyzenilhan said:
is speed of light invariant for accelerated frames?

Yes... in the sense that any local measurement of the speed of light gives c.

The speed of light at some location remote from the observer depends on how co-ordinates are given for space and time.

Cheers -- sylas
 
thanks for the reply
 
Note that the word "local" is crucial. Also, what sylas said assumes that we're talking about a coordinate system that the standard synchronization convention associates with the world line of a moving object. If we allow arbitrary coordinate systems, the speed of light can be anything we want it to be.
 
ok. thanks. I understand the subject.
 

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