LIGHT AND RELATIVITY EFFECTS

The general theory of relativity established a connection between the behavior of light and all other physical phenomena. Space-time is predicted to be a part of every action of the universe. The cause of space-time is defined as the constant nature, in a vacuum, of the speed of light. The successes of the predictions of relativity theory demonstrate that in order to accurately define physics we must first accurately define light. Some primary properties of light are defined by the theory of relativity. That theory addresses the measurement of the speed of light. Therefore, I will first consider the measurement of the speed of light. I then use this new theory to explain light from a different perspective.

MEASURING THE SPEED OF LIGHT

The problem of the measurement of the speed of light, considered solved by relativity, can be simply introduced by considering a hypothetical problem in gravity free space. I will use two observers in proximity to each other with no relative velocity. Since there is no gravity, the only possible communication between these observers is by electromagnetic means. For convenience, I refer to electromagnetism as light.

One observer sends out a ray of light toward the second observer. The measurement of the speed of light passing between them may appear to be straightforward without logical complications. If a measuring rod is placed between the two observers, it appears reasonable to think either observer would measure the speed of light to be the known value commonly represented as C. There is some mystery, however, even in this very simple example.

What cannot be explained is how light is propagated, and what is the means by which the speed of light is regulated? It could be said there is nothing present to cause it to vary, but there is equally nothing present to cause it to not vary. This point becomes clearer when relative velocity is introduced into the problem. The correctness of relativity is not presupposed, so both time and space are considered to be symmetrical.

When there is a relative velocity between the two observers then the speed of light needs to be re-measured. There is reason to think the relative velocity may affect the measured speed of light. For example, if the two bodies are moving toward each other it is possible to wonder if the speed of the light passing by either of the observers would travel at the speed C plus their relative speed. However, this seemingly reasonable assumption is not a foregone conclusion. There is also a reasonable basis to expect the speed to be equal to C regardless of the relative velocity.

The idea of a changing speed of light due to relative velocity suggests the observer who emits the light retains control over that ray of light, while the second observer apparently does not have the ability to control it. There is no other potential source of control given. This idea requires the acceptance of multiple measured speeds of light equal to the same number of charged particles in the universe. The core of the problem is: There is implicit in this idea that the local environment has no control over the speeds of light from any number of external sources.

We have no current understanding of why light moves. It could easily be argued: If a particle controls the speed of its own light, then it should also have control over the speed of any light. We can wonder how a body has control over the light it emits, but no control over passing light physically indistinguishable from its own. The point is that there is no empirically demonstrated substance controlling the speed of light. Since the cause of this speed cannot be detected directly, then the motion of light must be determined empirically from the interaction of particles and photons. It cannot, at its level of origin, be logically deduced.

...................fiza engineer....................