The speed of light
Discussion
Following on from reading these threads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f...
I understand the fact that it took a while before light formed, which is why we can look back at an older part of the Universe but before reading the threads I would have also said, us also moving/expanding was also a factor. If we're moving apart from the stars we're looking back at, it would take longer still for the light from those stars to reach us, as where moving away as the light is travelling towards us. This meaning we can look back further still, than what we could if we were just stationary. Put it this way, if car A (earth) is travelling at 55mph and Car B (light from a star) is travelling at 60mph it's going to take car B longer to get to car A, than what it would do if Car A was stationary.
However this doesn't seem to be the case with light, as Einstein seems to have explained that the speed of light is constant to all observers. Could someone please explain to me why this is.
From the bit of research I've done the Doppler effect is mentioned too. I mean, I know what that is when it comes to sound, you get that distinctive noise of a race car approaching you and then trailing off when it's gone passed. However I can't understand how light and seeing something does the same thing.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f...
I understand the fact that it took a while before light formed, which is why we can look back at an older part of the Universe but before reading the threads I would have also said, us also moving/expanding was also a factor. If we're moving apart from the stars we're looking back at, it would take longer still for the light from those stars to reach us, as where moving away as the light is travelling towards us. This meaning we can look back further still, than what we could if we were just stationary. Put it this way, if car A (earth) is travelling at 55mph and Car B (light from a star) is travelling at 60mph it's going to take car B longer to get to car A, than what it would do if Car A was stationary.
However this doesn't seem to be the case with light, as Einstein seems to have explained that the speed of light is constant to all observers. Could someone please explain to me why this is.
From the bit of research I've done the Doppler effect is mentioned too. I mean, I know what that is when it comes to sound, you get that distinctive noise of a race car approaching you and then trailing off when it's gone passed. However I can't understand how light and seeing something does the same thing.
Edited by TheTurbonator on Sunday 17th June 12:01
Gene Vincent said:
But there is in your post a clue that perhaps you don't fully appreciate what exactly 'relativity' means.
You need really to read up on that to properly grasp its true meaning, because although the word has become common parlance it is remains misunderstood at its core by almost all who use it outside of the discipline.
You're probably right, I don't. Is there any books you could recommend or anyone could recommend that would explain all this.You need really to read up on that to properly grasp its true meaning, because although the word has become common parlance it is remains misunderstood at its core by almost all who use it outside of the discipline.
I like to sit down with a book or books until I understand something. I suppose I need to start with one that explains Einstein's theories and the behaviour of light and the universe.
Edited by TheTurbonator on Sunday 17th June 13:25
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