Spin & Frame of Reference: Detecting Motion in Space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the detection of motion in space, specifically focusing on the behavior of a toy gyroscope in a vacuum and the implications of using a ring interferometer to determine motion relative to a frame of reference. The scope includes theoretical considerations and the application of experimental devices in understanding motion and reference frames.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to determine if the inside of a gyroscope or its frame is spinning in the absence of external references.
  • Another participant suggests using a ring interferometer as a method to detect motion.
  • A third participant expresses curiosity about the implications of the ring interferometer, questioning whether it indicates the existence of aether and its potential to determine directional paths in space.
  • A later reply clarifies that the ring interferometer does not support aether theories that involve "aether dragging" and notes that it rules out certain types of aether theories, leaving only Lorentz aether as a possibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing views on the implications of the ring interferometer regarding aether theories, indicating a lack of consensus on the interpretation of its results.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of aether and the limitations of the interferometer in ruling out certain theories, which remain unresolved.

hsdrop
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If we put a toy gyroscope in space, like the ones we all played with as kids with the wheel on the inside of a wire frame, and had nothing to reference it to. (stars, planets, dust, exc.) How could you tell if the inside was spinning or the wire frame??
 
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hsdrop said:
How could you tell if the inside was spinning or the wire frame??
Use a ring interferometer.
 
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Wow, sorry for my ignorance. I feel silly now. lol I had no idea that something like that existed, thank you for sharing. After reading up just a little on the device and how it works. Does the device show that there is a kind of aether that everything travels throw and could possibly be used to find direction in space? Not the cardinal directions but in degrees of a path.
 
hsdrop said:
Does the device show that there is a kind of aether that everything travels throw
No. The device in fact rules out a class of aether theories involving "aether dragging". Basically, Michelson interferometers rule out rigid aether theories and ring interferometers rule out dragged aether theories. Only Lorentz aether remains, which is an aether that is indistinguishable from no aether.
 
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