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Chapter 6: Q15DQ (page 1247)

What do you think would be different in everyday life if the speed of light were 10 m/s instead of 3.00×108m/s

Short Answer

Expert verified

From the point of the observer in that universe, nothing would change

Step by step solution

01

Concept of the speed of the light

The speed of light, which is a constant, c, and has a specific value, is tied to all of the fundamental processes that occur around us. If the speed of light were to vary, other physical quantities such as mass, charge, and the colour of quarks would also shift proportionally. Although it would appear considerably slower to an outside observer, nothing would actually change for a person living in that universe.

Of course, some may argue that over a finite distance, such as the Sun-Earth, light would take longer to reach the Earth, but space and time are profoundly entwined with the speed of light via relations whose comprehension exceeds the scope of the book, and we could build a case for that.

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