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relativity theory - how does it go?

 
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wienertakesall



Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:20 pm    Post subject: relativity theory - how does it go? Reply with quote
What is it with this paradox that light's speed is always absolute ie. 300kkm/s. Lets say that an observer travels in opposite direction then a light's beam at 1 km/s. Is then the light beam's speed relative to him not 301 ths. km/s?
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Pem Tech



Joined: 12 Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Third Rock from the Sun
PostPosted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:24 pm    Post subject: ~ Reply with quote
No...
It will still be 300kkm/s, and that is the beauty of relativity, the speed of light on a vacuum is the upper limit possible from this side of that limit. Theory shows that their may be particles called Tachyons that cannot travel BELOW the speed of light.
Makes your head spin, doesn't it...

Now, the fun bit is that a light beam shown from an object moving towards the observer will still be traveling 300kkm/s, but the frequency will be higher or "blue-shifted." In the opposite case, if the beam were shown from an object moving away from the observer, it would still be 300kkm/s but the frequency would be lower or "red-shifted."

I believe that masses, lengths and time at ~99% C are all altered by a factor called "gamma."
Sorry, I can't do Albert justice in this short blurb, do some research, there are many good books on the subject.
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