c

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

As I said, photon has a tiny amount of mass, that's not a constant value, and it's related to its momentum.

Introducing the concept of photon mass into a discussion of Relativity is just plain mean spirited!

[Jim Richards]

Just trying to spin things up a bit. I hope this doesn't polarize the discussion.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Just trying to spin things up a bit. I hope this doesn't polarize the discussion.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

thanks Charlie. To the best of my recollection, light has not only been slowed down to highway speeds, but am pretty sure it has been stopped.

That's because the speed of light isn't a constant. The speed of light IN A VACUUM is a constant. The speed of light in other media is different, and what allows things like lenses to bend light.

Shine light against a brick wall and you slow it to a speed of zero

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by sjf911

don't ask me how you can measure galactic magnetic field dynamics from earth.

Zeeman splitting of atomic spectra? Polarization of gas clouds? There are numerous ways to calculate the magnetic fields of remote locations.

[Jim Richards]

As trekkor would say...just guesses.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

why is the speed of light independent of the speed of the observer and independent of the speed of the thing that emits the light?

Honestly, the best explanation of Special Relativity that I've read is from the horses mouth:
http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Albert-Einstein/dp/1103842471/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1242664289&sr=1-4

I have this on my bookshelf here at work right now, and I reference it when needed.
http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1242664289&sr=1-1
Cheaper version. Should be the same thing.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

As trekkor would say...just guesses.

Trekkor still thinks that you can put them there up spin electrons together, as long as Someone says it's OK

[Jim Richards]

Well, it's certainly OK with Me.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Honestly, the best explanation of Special Relativity that I've read is from the horses mouth:
http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Albert-Einstein/dp/1103842471/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1242664289&sr=1-4

I have this on my bookshelf here at work right now, and I reference it when needed.
http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1242664289&sr=1-1
Cheaper version. Should be the same thing.

Thanks Mike, I have to admit, my hope was to spur more of a metaphysical, philosophical discussion. with a bio/biochem degree, I had to take physics, but never enjoyed it, nor appreciated it. I've taken up its study recently and wish I could go back to school...maybe in 2-3 years, but not now.

Lots to learn and theorize about, so I thought I would open a discussion. Greatly appreciate all the rich discussion points. I find it fascinating that constants pertaining to the everyday human experience are in fact variables in our universe.

[Jim Richards]

Constants, variables...meh. Philosophically speaking, it's all just one's point of view.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

I had to take physics, but never enjoyed it, nor appreciated it. I've taken up its study recently and wish I could go back to school...maybe in 2-3 years, but not now.

Pansy

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5001 The e-book version of the out of date book I actually have. The physics is basic, as is the math. That's part of the beauty of Special Relativity (not General!!), it's not much beyond geometry, 1st year physics and some creative thinking.

As to why "c" is constant? Because, it's how it has to be. Why not ask why all apples are red, or why all dogs are male?

[Zeke]

PM to Shaun84targa-- Re: c = over my head

Quote:
Originally Posted by milt:
"Realizing that if I could travel through space at the SOL, I could freeze time. The postulation in your video states all matter in space is moving at the SOL. I guess you can conclude what my question is. Don't try to answer it, I won't understand. --Milt"



"you should post that Milt!" --Shaun

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Why not ask why all apples are red?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

There's that Dopler effect again!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by milt

There is no "Dopler" effect on light speed travel?

In my field, the "dopeler affect" describes the rush of stupid ideas coming at you so fast that they eventually appear to make sense.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

In my field, the "dopeler affect" describes the rush of stupid ideas coming at you so fast that they eventually appear to make sense.

You're an upper level manager?

[RWebb]

rest mass

particle in a box

string theory

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

You're an upper level manager?

No, I'm an engineer - these "ideas" originate from all levels of management...