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argha
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hey guys i just saw a weirdo on TV claiming that the speed of light is not constant...since that is a direct attack on Einstein's postulate of relativity is there any truth in that statement?
does different speeds of light in different times of our history have any effect on the theory of relativity?does the theory of relativity have any experimental findings against it?
... Maxwell's equations...predict that the speed c with which electromagnetic waves (such as light) propagate through the vacuum is related to the electric constant ε0 and the magnetic constant μ0 by the equation c = 1/√ε0μ0
does different speeds of light in different times of our history have any effect on the theory of relativity?does the theory of relativity have any experimental findings against it?
Integral said:Perhaps you encountered something from Joao Magueijo, a for real Physicist, who has done some speculations by treating c as if it were a function of time. He has written an interesting and readable book about his experiences with this speculation:
Faster then the Speed of Light
If you have time give it a read.
If the speed of light were significantly different during some interval well after the Big Bang then shouldn't chemistry, ultimately an electromagnetic phenomena, be different as well? I'd be surprised if the world can be what it is now with different chemical behavior...Naty1 said:I am unsure if the speed of light did change over history how we would detect it, but I suspect there are ways...the cosmic background radiation for example comes from some 13.3 billions years or so ago (about 380,000 years after the bang) and seems 'consistent' with "current" light, say as from our sun...
The speed of light is not constant because it can vary depending on the medium through which it is traveling. In a vacuum, the speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, but in other materials such as water or glass, the speed can be slower.
According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the fastest possible speed because it is the universal speed limit in the universe. No object with mass can ever reach or exceed the speed of light.
The speed of light plays a crucial role in Einstein's theory of special relativity, which states that time and space are relative and can change based on an observer's perspective. The speed of light is a constant in this theory and is used to calculate the effects of time dilation and length contraction.
No, the speed of light cannot be manipulated or changed. It is a fundamental constant of the universe and is not affected by external factors such as gravity or other forces. However, the speed of light can appear to be slower in certain materials, but this is due to the interaction of light with the atoms in the material.
There have been some theories proposed that suggest the speed of light may not be constant in all situations, such as in a curved spacetime or in the early universe. However, these theories are still being researched and have not been proven. The current scientific consensus is that the speed of light is constant in a vacuum.