Understanding Einstein's Discovery: The Constant Speed of Light

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In summary, Einstein came to the conclusion that light travels at the same speed regardless of the observer's own speed by examining the principle of relativity and Maxwell's laws. He proposed that the speed of light must be the same for everyone in order for the principle of relativity to hold, and this idea led to the development of special relativity. This was supported by experiments such as the Michaelson-Morley experiment, which showed that light could not be used to determine an absolute speed.
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mjolnir80
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how exactly did Einstein come to the conclusion that light travels at the same speed regardless of the observers own speed?
 
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It's not really a concusion it'sthe starting point.
There is a much earlier principle of relativity that says the laws of physics are the same for any moving body - so your physics test doesn't give different answers in the summer and winter when we are moving in opposite directions around the sun.
But Maxwell's laws give a fixed speed for light.
This would destroy the earier principle, because we could use a measurement of light speed to say how we were moving.

Einstein said 'what would we have to do to make the first principle work?' = the speed of light would have to be the same for everyone.
From this postulate (=claim) all the effects of special relativity follow.
 
  • #3
Also a number of experiments, in particular the Michaelson-Morely experiment, showed that light could NOT be used to determine an "absolute" speed.
 

FAQ: Understanding Einstein's Discovery: The Constant Speed of Light

What is light?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is made up of photons, which are particles that travel in waves.

How does light travel?

Light travels in straight lines at a constant speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (in a vacuum). It can travel through air, water, and some other substances, but can also be reflected or refracted.

How is light produced?

Light can be produced in various ways, such as through chemical reactions (like in a fire) or through the emission of photons from excited atoms (like in a lightbulb). It can also be produced by natural sources such as the sun and stars.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. This includes all types of light, from radio waves to gamma rays.

How does light affect our daily lives?

Light plays a crucial role in our daily lives, from providing us with sight and allowing us to see colors, to being used in technology (such as lasers and fiber optics) and in medicine (such as phototherapy). It also helps regulate our sleep patterns and has cultural and emotional significance in various societies.

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