Peter,

Your main mistake is common among opponents of SR and CSL like Pentcho who are considering photons moving in a ballistic manner like bullets.

A colleague of mine taught physics to students across our university. He told me that students of EE tend to easily accept SR because we teachers of EEs had already taught them to calculate light behaving as an em wave, not as a body that can be accelerated.

The speed c of any wave does neither immediately depend on a velocity v_e of its emitter nor on a speed v_r of its receiver but it refers to the medium. The expression c+v is therefore misleading. Waves cannot propagate faster wrt medium than with the specific speed c. This is valid for acoustic waves in air as well as for em waves in space. While you may calculate the value c+v when considering (in particular from the perspective of ground) the sound propagating within a fast flying cabin, you must not infer that a signal can be transferred with a speed in excess of c. Please accept this without further quarrel.

Michelson's null result has been the next hurdle of understanding since 1881: We have also to accept that in empty space there is no stationary light-carrying medium wrt which an object could move at a velocity v_m. An application of the expression c+v_m is therefore not justified. You are repeatedly claiming that a photon/wave is emitted with a speed v wrt the emitting body. I don't see this correct.

The speed of light belongs to its far field component. The near field component does not propagate, and in empty space this speed (as I pinpointed the perhaps only reasonable definition of it) is c, depending not on the speeds of the emitting as well as the receiving body but on their belonging positions instead.

I only mentioned your trifles because they may make reading of what you wrote more troublesome, in particular for those like me.

Eckard

OMG: "The falsehood of Einstein's relativity is obvious to everybody nowadays - there is almost no one left on Einsteiniana's sinking ship."

Silly me, I thought only QM has its share of "challengers" because QM is much harder compared with special relativity.

Still, the argument has sheer brilliance in its simplicity:

"An observer/receiver moving with speed v (let v be small so that the relativistic corrections can be ignored) towards the light source measures the frequency of the light pulses to be f'=(c+v)/d.

From the formula f=c/d one infers that the speed of the light pulses relative to the stationary observer/receiver is c. From the formula f'=(c+v)/d one infers that the speed of the light pulses relative to the moving observer/receiver is c'=c+v."

I am completely speechless on this one.

    Eckard,

    Poor understanding is rife. I'll try to explain better. 1. I agree "Waves cannot propagate faster wrt medium than with the specific speed c."

    Also that; "The speed of light belongs to its far field component." So only in the NEAR field is c wrt the emitter. I do NOT therefore invoke ballistics. Quite the opposite, I use waves. Read my essays!

    But there is a very new and very subtle point here; ALL matter, including detectors, have 'near fields', (at rest with the body). So the speed of approaching light is always c in the FAR field. But it is c in ALL fields. So when it arrives it changes to c in the near filed (just like sound).

    You keep insisting space has no 'medium'. If you had the first idea about astronomy or astrophysics you'd know how hopelessly wrong that assumption is. I'm not referring to 'ether', only to the diffuse mass particles we ACTUALLY FIND there! Being diffuse only means that refraction takes longer and further. But space is obviously far bigger than you've imagined Eckard, vastly bigger than is needed for the job!

    Take all the particles of a 1cm thick lens and scatter them in space. Do you imagine they won't do the same job? That job is precisely what they DO do. And coupling affects speed just as much as angle, even where n=1. Think carefully about that. That is what Willhelmus meant.

    So all light in passing planes can do c+v wrt you, but always propagates at c, so can NEVER reach you at c+v as it always changes speed when changing field (thus discrete fields) to propagate at local c.

    No need to apologise for wrongly accusing me of making the mistake of using 'bullets'. Poor understanding is rife.

    Peter

    Florin,

    An easy mistake to make. A far more subtle truth hides from all simplistic analysis, agreeing with Einstein's final 1952 definition (and Postulates) which varied somewhat from the earlier descriptions.

    The 'discrete field' model describes an underlying (quantum scale) mechanism which can produce the effects described in SR (and thus GR). Firstly v can be large as the Lorentz Factor is a valid approximation of the power curve implicit in the model approaching gamma (link available).

    Now if you read my latest essay 2nd place score, here; you'll see the reason why using "frequency" rather than the scalar "wavelength" (L) has tended to 'screen' what's really going on. i.e. In astronomy we've learnt that using the 'frequency' formulations for Doppler shift produces anomalous results. Telemetry and redshift then use L/L. The difference is critical, but theorists still habitually use f.

    The reason is as identified in the nominated 'Paper of the Year' and analysis that the simple specification of CSL is "both true and false at the same time" as it needs more precise definition, here;

    Liberati 2013. and Analysis of Space-Time irregularities.Jnl Stat.Phys.2013.

    It also complies with QED, But of course as Feynman predicted the solution would be, it's entirely unfamiliar so will certainly "first look wrong", as it did to me. it's then liable to unscientific 'a priori' rejection. Human nature really. It has however not only passed all falsification but seems to resolve all the anomalies it's been used on (see the essays). I estimated it may be ~2020 before physicist would be ready (2010 Essay; 2020 Vision').

    It also precisely recovers the hierarchical structure of truth function logic ('proposition' = 'inertial system') and (finally!) recovers Snell's Law of refraction at Maxwell's near/far field transitions. If you get your head round the dynamical evolution let me know. Fundamentally All propagation is at c, but 'apparent' c+v does not require disqualification as all 'matter' can move'. Superluminal jets (found up to 46c apparent) are then no longer a problem for Relativity.

    Happy New year

    Peter

    Florin,

    The problem is that you, like the vast majority of people, have confused "group velocity" for "phase velocity". Einstein simply DEFINED the phase velocity of light, in a vacuum, to be a constant. He said nothing about group velocity being constant.

    Group velocity is the velocity at which the envelope of a signal propagates, such as might be measured by timing the arrival of a leading edge of a pulse.

    Phase velocity, on the other hand, is the velocity of a signal with a constant envelop - in other words, an infinitely long signal that has no leading or trailing edge. Since the envelop is constant, no measurement of it will provide any indication of a non-zero velocity, whatsoever.

    So how do you then DIRECTLY measure the velocity of an infinitely long, ideal sinusoid, that never interacts with anything, (because it is in a vacuum)? The answer is that you can't. You can only measure a changing phase. But that could be caused by EITHER a non-zero velocity, or a change in its frequency, or any combination of the two. So which is it? There is no way to tell. Not even in principle. So just pick one or the other as being CONSTANT, and attribute the phase shift has being entirely caused by the other.

    Einstein simply observed that the math transformation would be simpler, if you picked the velocity to be constant, rather than the frequency. Hence, we have Doppler frequency shifts and constant phase velocity, rather than constant frequency and Doppler velocity shifts.

    Rob McEachern

    Variable Speed of Light Topples Einstein

    You walk along the fence. Relative to you, the posts have speed c (not the speed of light of course) and the frequency you measure is f=c/d, where d is the distance between the posts.

    Now you start running along the fence and your speed increases by v. Relative to you, the speed of the posts shifts from c to c'=c+v. This shift in the speed of the posts relative to you causes the frequency you measure to shift from f=c/d to f'=c'/d=(c+v)/d.

    A light source emits a series of pulses the distance between which is d (e.g. d=300000km) towards you (the observer/receiver). Relative to you, the pulses have speed c and the frequency you measure is f=c/d, where d is the distance between the pulses.

    Now you start running towards the light source and your speed increases by v (v is small so that the relativistic corrections can be ignored). Relative to you, the speed of the pulses shifts from c to c'=c+v. This shift in the speed causes the frequency you measure to shift from f=c/d to f'=c'/d=(c+v)/d:

    "Doppler effect - when an observer moves towards a stationary source. ...the velocity of the wave relative to the observer is faster than that when it is still."

    If you had started running away from the light source, then, relative to you, the speed of the pulses would have shifted from c to c'=c-v and the frequency you measured from f=c/d to f'=c'/d=(c-v)/d:

    "Doppler effect - when an observer moves away from a stationary source. ...the velocity of the wave relative to the observer is slower than that when it is still."

    Clearly one can only explain the shift from f=c/d to f'=(c±v)/d in terms of the shift from c to c'=c±v. However the equation c'=c±v is fatal for special relativity so Einsteinians usually avoid the topic:

    "Crimestop means the faculty of stopping short, as though by instinct, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. It includes the power of not grasping analogies, of failing to perceive logical errors, of misunderstanding the simplest arguments if they are inimical to Ingsoc, and of being bored or repelled by any train of thought which is capable of leading in a heretical direction. Crimestop, in short, means protective stupidity."

    Pentcho Valev

    Tom, I was not kidding, I do consider the argument brilliant, and I think it deserves a clear counter-argument. Also I did scratched my head to find it. Here it is:

    Consider this:

    "An observer/receiver moving with speed v (let v be small so that the relativistic corrections can be ignored) towards the light source measures the frequency of the light pulses to be f'=(c+v)/d"

    It states: "let v be small so that the relativistic corrections can be ignored". The Lorenz factor gamma = 1/sqrt(1 - v*v/c*c) so 1/gamma = sqrt(1-v*v/c*c) = sqrt((1-v/c)(1+v/c)). In the quoted argument, the factor 1/gamma due to time dilation is ignored probably as being consider second order in v/c. However, even in relativity there is a Doppler shift of the order of v/c so this is not enough to distinguish between Lorentz and Galilean transformations, and one needs to go to second order v/c terms. In Galilean transformations there are none, but not in relativity.

    Bottom line, when v 0 is the same as c/v->infinity or c->infinity and "infinity + v = infinity". The point here is that we are not talking about adding small velocities v1+v2, but talking about adding a small velocity with an "infinite" velocity.

    Long story short: for small v, the relativistic effects are second order in v/c, and c->infinity. Therefore the c+v=c because c = infinity. Also I did like the argument against special relativity: it is clear, concise, and it deserves a to the point refutation without appealing to higher authority, experiments, or geometric arguments.

      One more thing:

      I think the confusion stems from demanding uniform convergence when only point-convergence exists. The limit from Lorenz to Galileo has one kind of convergence when ALL velocities are small (second order in v/c) and another kind of convergence when combining small with large velocities (first order in v/c). Functional analysis has tons of examples when uniform convergence is not true, but the weaker form of convergence holds.

      Correction:

      a paragraph was completely messed up during upload:

      "Bottom line, when v 0 is the same as c/v->infinity or c->infinity and "infinity + v = infinity". The point here is that we are not talking about adding small velocities v1+v2, but talking about adding a small velocity with an "infinite" velocity."

      a large section is missing in between: "Bottom line, when" and "0 is the same as..."

      I did not save the original text, but hopefully my explanation remained clear. Special relativity refutation is based on assuming uniform convergence of the limit from Lorenz to Galilean transformations.

        "I think the confusion stems from demanding uniform convergence when only point-convergence exists."

        What confusion? Infinities sum linearly -- that's where you are confused -- however, a point at infinity lives only on a compact manifold.

        A simple arithmetic theorem informs us that any point can simultaneously approach any set of points provided that it is far enough away. That's point convergence, finite for any point, to the limit of infinity. And that's what makes the "brilliant argument" nothing more than a steaming pile -- the limit of the speed of light is finite because physically real measurements are only between mass points, not spacetime points.

        Albert Einstein Institute: "The frequency of a wave-like signal - such as sound or light - depends on the movement of the sender and of the receiver. This is known as the Doppler effect. (...) Here is an animation of the receiver moving towards the source: (...) By observing the two indicator lights, you can see for yourself that, once more, there is a blue-shift - the pulse frequency measured at the receiver is somewhat higher than the frequency with which the pulses are sent out. This time, the distances between subsequent pulses are not affected, but still there is a frequency shift: As the receiver moves towards each pulse, the time until pulse and receiver meet up is shortened. In this particular animation, which has the receiver moving towards the source at one third the speed of the pulses themselves, four pulses are received in the time it takes the source to emit three pulses."

        Let "the distance between subsequent pulses" be 300000 km. Then the frequency measured by the stationary receiver is f = 1 s^(-1) and that measured by the moving receiver is f' = 4/3 s^(-1). Accordingly, the speed of the pulses relative to the moving receiver is:

        c' = (4/3)c = 400000 km/s

        in violation of special relativity.

        The relativistic corrections change essentially nothing. The speed of the receiver is (1/3)c so gamma is 1.05. Accordingly, the corrected f' is (1.05)*(4/3) s^(-1) and the corrected c' is (1.05)*(400000) km/s. Special relativity remains violated.

        Pentcho Valev

        Poor Einstein, you are not a saint but why do they keep telling lies against you? Some say they love you but refuse to heed your statements. Others hate you and refuse to listen to any of your defense. Did you not say this -

        "... according to the general theory of relativity, 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... ONLY SO LONG as we are able to disregard the influences of gravitational fields (OF THE EARTH) on the phenomena {e.g. of light}", p.89. Yet they lie you said constancy of light velocity MUST have unlimited validity!

        And this

        "Furthermore, we can regard an atom (e.g. Caesium 133) which is emitting spectral lines as a clock, so that the following statement will hold: An atom absorbs or emits light of a frequency which is dependent on the potential of the gravitational field in which it is situated. The frequency of an atom situated on the surface of a heavenly body (e.g. EARTH) will be somewhat less than the frequency of an atom of the same, element which is situated in free space (or on the surface of a smaller celestial body)",p.157. Yet BIPM insist on using Caesium 133 frequency on earth to determine 'the second' and force light velocity to be constant at EXACTLY 299792458m/s universally, when in free space it will be 2999792458.2087m/s.

        And this

        "The principle of the constancy of the velocity of light holds good according to this theory in a different form from that which usually underlies the ordinary theory of relativity...the velocity of light in the gravitational field is a function of the location...", p.903. Still they would not listen. What else can you do?

        Please don't turn in your grave. I beg you to forgive Pentcho, Tom, Florin and Robert. May your precious soul continue to rest in peace. Amen!

        Akinbo

        Akinbo,

        Consider Rob's point very carefully, you should find it correct. Certainly I agree most are highly culpable and asymmetrically cherry pick Einstein's views to maintain their rigid beliefs.

        Rob,

        I do like that way of describing it, but some time ago I found a 'limitation' to the domain of a (simplest) model of the phase/group approach, which I recall related to observer frame dependence. It didn't then provide the complete 'solution set' alone. I believe it can be overcome by taking the LOCAL background view, but that then itself needed to be demonstrated anyway. Can your incisively logical mind find a better way?

        Happy new year.

        Peter

        Florin,

        Nice analysis, but distracted by Pentcho's incorrectly founded ideas. Stay with Robs and mine and you'll penetrate the confusion, and use the wavelength (L not f) Doppler shift equations of Astronomy and Optics.

        Discrete Field Model Axiom 1. Space is a very diffuse dielectric medium, but big!

        2. Electrons absorb EM waves and re-emit at the Local (so not 1 'absolute') c.

        3. All 'detectors' are constituted by matter or do not exist!

        Waves propagating at c then approach a detector moving towards them at v. When the first peak hits it is slowed. Measurement of anything needs TWO wave peaks, and by the time the second peak arrives the detector has moved, so the WAVELENGTH is Doppler shifted relative to speed v. (we can ignore 'n').

        We can then use 'time' to derive a 'frequency'. HOWEVER, In the assumed equation; f'=(c+v)/d we've now found that the f relates to the DETECTOR frame NOT the rest frame for the distance d. That's why that equation is invalid.

        You may find this enlightened view of 'discrete field' dynamics so unfamiliar you wont match it to any pattern existing in your neural network. That does not mean it's wrong, but that our previous fundamental hidden assumptions have been wrong. (It also makes it almost impossible to remember!) The transformation constant for a 'fixed observer' case is not then the ; c = f' * L', but c' = f * L'.

        The Lorentz Factor also simply emerges mechanistically approaching the 'non-linear optics' optical breakdown (OB mode) limit at gamma, when approaching max electron/ proton plasma density ~10^23/cm^-3 at high relative speed/ionization rates; Optical Breakdown limit as a mechanism for the LT. So the SR postulates are proven but consistent with the LT and a logical Copenhagen interpretation.

        Of course that only scratches the surface, and even if correct I'm sure it's far too 'different' from present assumptions to be accepted any time yet. My '2020 Vision' essay gave an estimate of when.

        best wishes

        Peter

        Akino:

        You stated that "the velocity of light in the gravitational field is a function of the location". But if there is a gravitational field, then there is no inertial (un-accelerating) frame. Consequently, Special Relativity does not apply, General Relativity is required.

        Peter,

        Recall that Einstein POSTULATED the speed of light to be constant. He did not OBSERVE it to be constant. He did not PREDICT it to be constant. While there a variety of definitions for POSTUlATE, the basic idea is to take something as an unquestioned given, and then use it as a starting point, for deducing some interesting conclusion.

        What was the conclusion that he was aiming at? A simple conversion system.

        Special Relativity is nothing more than a "Currency Exchange"; I say this can of soup costs 1.23 dollars and you say it costs 0.68 pounds. So which is it, 1.23 or 0.68? The answer is both. You just need to convert numbers in one measurement system to numbers in different systems.

        Special Relativity is nothing more than the "Measurement Exchange" system used to convert measurements in one inertial system into measurements in another.

        Maxwell observed that certain constants in his equations for Electrodynamics can be combined to yield the "speed of light". Maxwell's equation are formulated in the rest frame of the observer. Wouldn't it be nice if observers in relative motion could ALL use Maxwell's equations in there own personal rest frame, in which his equations yield a constant speed of light? So, given the ambiguity in phase, noted in my previous post, why not just go ahead and POSTULATE that the speed is constant and the same for everyone, and see if that leads to an interesting conclusion, a simple "Measurement Exchange" system? It did. End of story.

        But not quite. Even in real currency exchange systems, there can be subtle but significant effects. The whole field of arbitrage is based upon exploiting such effects.

        Rob McEachern

        The only reasonable way to derive the Doppler frequency shift (moving observer) is by assuming, explicitly or implicitly, that the speed of light (relative to the observer) varies with the speed of the observer, in violation of special relativity:

        Tony Harker, University College London: "The Doppler Effect: Moving sources and receivers. The phenomena which occur when a source of sound is in motion are well known. The example which is usually cited is the change in pitch of the engine of a moving vehicle as it approaches. In our treatment we shall not specify the type of wave motion involved, and our results will be applicable to sound or to light. (...) Now suppose that the observer is moving with a velocity Vo away from the source. (....) If the observer moves with a speed Vo away from the source (...), then in a time t the number of waves which reach the observer are those in a distance (c-Vo)t, so the number of waves observed is (c-Vo)t/lambda, giving an observed frequency f'=f(1-Vo/c) when the observer is moving away from the source at a speed Vo."

        Tony Harker: "In a time t the number of waves which reach the observer are those in a distance (c-Vo)t."

        Consequence: The speed of the light waves relative to the moving observer is:

        c' = distance/time = (c - Vo)t/t = c - Vo,

        in violation of special relativity.

        It takes constant and painful exercise in crimestop, singing hymns, going into convulsions etc to convince oneself that:

        c' = c - Vo = c,

        as required by special relativity. This picture is extremely inspirational.

        "He set to work to exercise himself in crimestop. He presented himself with propositions - "the Party says the earth is flat", "the party says that ice is heavier than water" - and trained himself in not seeing or not understanding the arguments that contradicted them. It was not easy. It needed great powers of reasoning and improvisation. The arithmetical problems raised, for instance, by such a statement as "two and two make five" were beyond his intellectual grasp. It needed also a sort of athleticism of mind, an ability at one moment to make the most delicate use of logic and at the next to be unconscious of the crudest logical errors. Stupidity was as necessary as intelligence, and as difficult to attain."

        Pentcho Valev