Chapter 22: Problem 50

The speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their motion. Discuss why this requires us to abandon the Newtonian view of space and time.

Short Answer

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The constancy of the speed of light, as observed experimentally, contradicts the Newtonian view of absolute space and time. If the Newtonian view were correct, the speed of light should vary depending on the observer's relative motion, which is not observed in nature. Therefore, to reconcile these contradictions, we have to abandon the Newtonian view and accept the Einsteinian view where space and time are interconnected and relative, not absolute.

Step by step solution

Newtonian View of Space and Time

In Newtonian Mechanics, space and time are considered absolute and independent of each other. This means that any event can happen in a unique absolute location in space at an absolute time, and all observers, regardless their state of motion, would agree on the time and the place of the event.

Einstein's View of Space and Time

Einstein, in his Special Theory of Relativity, postulated that space and time are not absolute and independent entities. Instead, they are interconnected and form a four-dimensional spacetime continuum. All observers, regardless their state of motion, perceive space and time differently and will not necessarily agree on the spacetime coordinates of an event.

Constancy of Speed of Light

Einstein also postulated that the speed of light in vacuum is the same for all observes, regardless of their state of motion or of the motion of the light source. This means that even if one is moving towards or away from a beam of light, they would always measure the speed of light to be constant (approximately \(3 \times 10^{8}\) m/s).

Conflict Between Newtonian and Einsteinian Views

The constancy of the speed of light is in direct conflict with the Newtonian view of space and time. According to Newtonian physics, if an observer moves towards a beam of light, they should measure a higher speed of light, and if they move away, a lower speed; which is not in accordance with Einstein’s postulate.

Abandonment of Newtonian View

Since experimental evidences, such as the Michelson-Morley experiment, lent credibility to Einstein's postulates over Newton's view, it was necessary to move towards a new understanding of space and time. Furthermore, the fact that the speed of light is finite and constant challenges the concept of instantaneity implicit in Newton’s view of absolute time. Thus, we are led to abandon the Newtonian concept of absolute space and time.

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The speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their motion. Discuss why this requires us to abandon the Newtonian view of space and time.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Newtonian View of Space and Time

Einstein's View of Space and Time

Constancy of Speed of Light

Conflict Between Newtonian and Einsteinian Views

Abandonment of Newtonian View

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