October 26th 05
posted to sci.physics.relativity,sci.physics,sci.skeptic,sci.philosophy.tech
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Albert Einstein, the Rational World and the Zombie World
Harry wrote:
"Sue..." wrote in message
oups.com...
Harry wrote:
"Pentcho Valev" wrote in message
oups.com...
Albert Einstein, "Relativity", Chapter 7: "There is hardly a simpler
law in physics than that according to which light is propagated in
empty space. Every child at school knows, or believes he knows, that
this propagation takes place in straight lines with a velocity
c=300000
km/s."
Chapter 22: "...the law of the constancy of the velocity of light in
vacuo, which constitutes one of the two fundamental assumptions in the
special theory of relativity and to which we have already frequently
referred, cannot claim any unlimited validity. A curvature of rays of
light can only take place when the velocity of propagation of light
VARIES WITH POSITION."
The rational world would ask: How does the velocity of propagation of
light VARY WITH POSITION? Increases and becomes greater than c=300000
km/s? Decreases? Increase and decrease depend on what?
The rational answer is as Einstein explained in 1916:
Light speed depends on the gravitational potential and decreases with
decreasing gravitational potential, which results in Huygens light
bending.
Clock rate decreases similarly with decreasing gravitational potential,
while horizontal lengths are unaffected in GRT. In that way, locally the
quotient dx/dt=c.
Against what do you measure the clock to determine that
it has decreased?
The simple (simplified) answer: against one local clock that is used as
standard. See GPS.
Why don't all clocks respond the same to changes in altitude?
Of course different clocks may be differently affected by for example
barometric pressure, and balance clocks are even affected by gravitational
field strength.
So you seem to be saying the speed of light is different near
an hour glass and a cukoo clock.  )
Sue...
Harald
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