What If the Speed of Light Were No Longer Constant?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the hypothetical scenario where the speed of light is no longer constant, leading to significant implications for the laws of physics. Participants assert that such a change would debunk special and general relativity, allowing objects to exceed light speed and potentially giving photons a rest mass. The conversation explores the ramifications on fundamental constants, the nature of spacetime, and the necessity to revise Maxwell's equations. The discussion emphasizes the speculative nature of the topic, inviting creative theories while acknowledging the foundational role of the speed of light in modern physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special and general relativity
  • Familiarity with Maxwell's equations
  • Knowledge of photon theory and mass-energy equivalence
  • Basic concepts of spacetime and quantum field theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of varying light speed on Maxwell's equations
  • Explore Proca's theory of massive photons and its relation to electromagnetism
  • Investigate the concept of aether in modern physics and its dynamic properties
  • Study the effects of non-constant light speed on quantum field theory and particle physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of light and relativity will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
Hi Antonio,

Yes, permittivity and permeability are two properties which affect the speed of light.

I would propose that there are other properties which MAY affect it also.

What about effects from such phenomena as spatial curvature, virtual particle flux, quantum vacuum fluctuations, etc.

juju
 
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  • #32
juju said:
What about effects from such phenomena as spatial curvature, virtual particle flux, quantum vacuum fluctuations, etc.
Virtual photons created from quantum vacuum fluctuations don't stay around long enough for their speeds to be measured.
I'm not sure space curvature slows the speed of light. I'm checking on this. But there is such a thing as gravitational redshift, the decrease of photon's energy by gravity field.
 

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