Topic started by BlackHole (@ 192.91.75.30) on Sat Sep 29 07:58:09 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Anybody interested in explaining to me some stuff on special theory of relativity? Light remarks are welcome too.
Why does/How come the speed of light (in vacuum) remains constant despite any relative velocity between the light source and the observer?

Responses:

• From: ananda (@ a1as02-p211.mch.tli.de) on: Sat Sep 29 10:36:40
  
  I liked the question because - you added how come with the "why does" !!
  
  There can never be answers for "why does"!!
  
  What all we do is to study and understand the nature! To understand it in a better way.. we proceed with some rational and mathematical prepositions - to frame a theory to explain the natural phenomena !!
  
  Constancy of velocity of light is one such preposition to understand the mass-energy relation ship!!
  
  with the current theories of physics.. one is drived to arrive at a conclusion that - the velocity of light in vacume is the same with respect to any observer - immeterial whether he is moving or not!!
  
  if we dont go with this constancy preposition.. we will arrive at a conclusion that - the light photon`s mass becomes undetermined!
  
  any way - there are several theories challenging the constancy of velocity of light-Its a dynamic studay.. and we go with these rational propositions - which ofcourse are subjected to change with time (or like some one puts it - the nature is shy of defeat - as we go on finding its secrets and tries to create new secrets! Nevertheless, we go on hunting the new secrets too!!
  
  
• From: BlackHole (@ news.ti.com) on: Tue Oct 2 04:11:15
  
  So do you mean to say that looking at actual phenomena, it just occured to Einstein that if c were to remain constant with whatever the relative velocity btwn l.src. and obs., then all these stuff explain themselves correctly. ie it is just the simplest explanation that could fit all facts then observed to be true.
  I didn't get that part about the light photon`s mass becoming undetermined. Which of the equations are u talkin about? If it's that m = m0/sqrt(1-(v/c)^2), it only says anyhting's mass becomes indeterminate if it moves faster than c, and it says nothing about the constancy of c. Anyway, this equation is derived based on the premise that c is constant, so it cannot be used to reinforce that idea again.
  
  
• From: ananda (@ a1as11-p117.mch.tli.de) on: Wed Oct 3 11:01:45
  
  YES - you r right! the equation you mentioned is derived with a preposition of constancy of C !! so it wont contradict its presumption!!
  
  you must see the quantum mechanics to seek an explanation for the constancy preposal for "C". Classical Mechanics will not answer ur question!!
  
  
• From: Karthik (@ 129.212.138.130) on: Wed Oct 3 15:48:36
  
  New research points out at the possibility of varying speeds of light...especially as it bends around heavy masses or as it approaches blackholes (supposed to exist).
  
  BTW, talking of Einsteins and Maxwell's equations, much of it assumes the existence of the axiomatic mass. Though mass itself has never been proven.
  
  With emerging theoritical research on worm-holes and exotic material which it should be made up of, quite possible that the concept of mass itself will be consigned to dustbin.
  
  

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