The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference

Harry H. Mark

doi:doi:10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

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The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference

Harry H. Mark

Published in Optics (Volume 6, Issue 1)

Received: 19 August 2017 Accepted: 14 September 2017 Published: 23 October 2017

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Abstract

The speed of light in empty space was first measured by Roemer in 1676 who also found it faster on approach to its source and slower on recession. James Bradley in 1728 reported the speed of light incident vertically to be higher on approach and slower on recession. In 1881 and 1887 Albert Michelson showed that the speed of light did not change when both its source and observer moved forward uniformly on the same platform. These observations, often repeated, demonstrated that the motion of lights in inertial frame of reference varied according to the general laws of motion. However, erroneous interpretation of Michelson's experiments by Lorentz and FitzGerald lead to the notion that the speed of light was unaffected by the speed of its source or observer - it was a universal constant - later incorporated into Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

Published in	Optics (Volume 6, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
Page(s)	11-16
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Speed of Light, Universal Constant, Michelson, Einstein, Lorentz

References

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[2]	Cohen, I. B. Roemer and the first determination of the velocity of light (1676). Isis 31: 327-79 (1940). Also: New York, Burndy Library (1944).
[3]	Mach E. The principles of physical optics, Dover Publications, New York, (n.d.): 23 (1926).
[4]	Bradley, J. A new apparent Motion discovered in the Fixed Stars; its cause assigned; the Velocity and equable Motion of Light deduced. Phil transact Roy Soc: 35:637 (1728).
[5]	Sarton, G. Discovery of the Aberration of Light. Isis 16: 233 (1931).
[6]	Hogben L. Science and the Citizen. New York, Knopf: 330-336 (1958).
[7]	Maxwell, J. C. On the influence of the motions of the heavenly bodies on the index of refraction of light. Phil transact Roy Soc clviii: 532-535 (1868).
[8]	Michelson A. A. The relative motion of the Earth and the luminiferous ether. American Journal of Science, series 3, xxii: 120-29 (1881).
[9]	Maxwell J. C. On the possible mode of detecting a motion of the solar system through the luminiferous ether. Nature xxi: 315. Also: Proc Roy Soc. 30: 1018 (1880).
[10]	Rossmann F. Nikolaus Kopernikus, Erster Entwurf seines Weltsystems. Hermann Rinn, Munich: 12 (1948).
[11]	Michelson A. Sur le movement relative de la Terre et le l'ether. Comptes Rendu: 520 - 23 (1882).
[12]	Michelson A. A., Morley E. W. On the relative motion of the earth and the luminiferous ether, American Journal of Science, 3^rd series, xxxiv: 333-45 (1887).
[13]	Livingston, D. M. The Master of Light. New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons: 124 (1973).
[14]	Lorentz,H. 1892. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Relative_Motion_of_the _Earth_and_the_Aether. Accessed July 29 (2017).
[15]	FitzGerald, G. F. The Ether and the Earth’s Atmosphere. Science. 13: 390 (1889).
[16]	Einstein A. Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Koerper. Ann der Physik; 17: 1-24 (1905).
[17]	Einstein, A. Über das Relativitätsprinzip und die aus Demselben gezogenen Folgerungen. Jahrbuch der Radioaktivität und Elektronik (4), 411-46 (1908).
[18]	Pais A. Subtle is the Lord. New York, NY, Oxford Univ. Press: 21 (2005).

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Harry H. Mark. (2017). The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics, 6(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

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ACS Style

Harry H. Mark. The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics. 2017, 6(1), 11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

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AMA Style

Harry H. Mark. The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics. 2017;6(1):11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

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@article{10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13,
  author = {Harry H. Mark},
  title = {The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference},
  journal = {Optics},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.optics.20170601.13},
  abstract = {The speed of light in empty space was first measured by Roemer in 1676 who also found it faster on approach to its source and slower on recession. James Bradley in 1728 reported the speed of light incident vertically to be higher on approach and slower on recession. In 1881 and 1887 Albert Michelson showed that the speed of light did not change when both its source and observer moved forward uniformly on the same platform. These observations, often repeated, demonstrated that the motion of lights in inertial frame of reference varied according to the general laws of motion. However, erroneous interpretation of Michelson's experiments by Lorentz and FitzGerald lead to the notion that the speed of light was unaffected by the speed of its source or observer - it was a universal constant - later incorporated into Einstein's Theory of Relativity.},
 year = {2017}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference
AU  - Harry H. Mark
Y1  - 2017/10/23
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
T2  - Optics
JF  - Optics
JO  - Optics
SP  - 11
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7810
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
AB  - The speed of light in empty space was first measured by Roemer in 1676 who also found it faster on approach to its source and slower on recession. James Bradley in 1728 reported the speed of light incident vertically to be higher on approach and slower on recession. In 1881 and 1887 Albert Michelson showed that the speed of light did not change when both its source and observer moved forward uniformly on the same platform. These observations, often repeated, demonstrated that the motion of lights in inertial frame of reference varied according to the general laws of motion. However, erroneous interpretation of Michelson's experiments by Lorentz and FitzGerald lead to the notion that the speed of light was unaffected by the speed of its source or observer - it was a universal constant - later incorporated into Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Harry H. Mark

Department of Ophthalmology, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

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APA Style

Harry H. Mark. (2017). The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics, 6(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Harry H. Mark. The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics. 2017, 6(1), 11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Harry H. Mark. The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference. Optics. 2017;6(1):11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13,
  author = {Harry H. Mark},
  title = {The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference},
  journal = {Optics},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.optics.20170601.13},
  abstract = {The speed of light in empty space was first measured by Roemer in 1676 who also found it faster on approach to its source and slower on recession. James Bradley in 1728 reported the speed of light incident vertically to be higher on approach and slower on recession. In 1881 and 1887 Albert Michelson showed that the speed of light did not change when both its source and observer moved forward uniformly on the same platform. These observations, often repeated, demonstrated that the motion of lights in inertial frame of reference varied according to the general laws of motion. However, erroneous interpretation of Michelson's experiments by Lorentz and FitzGerald lead to the notion that the speed of light was unaffected by the speed of its source or observer - it was a universal constant - later incorporated into Einstein's Theory of Relativity.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Various Speeds of Lights in Inertial Frames of Reference
AU  - Harry H. Mark
Y1  - 2017/10/23
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
T2  - Optics
JF  - Optics
JO  - Optics
SP  - 11
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7810
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.optics.20170601.13
AB  - The speed of light in empty space was first measured by Roemer in 1676 who also found it faster on approach to its source and slower on recession. James Bradley in 1728 reported the speed of light incident vertically to be higher on approach and slower on recession. In 1881 and 1887 Albert Michelson showed that the speed of light did not change when both its source and observer moved forward uniformly on the same platform. These observations, often repeated, demonstrated that the motion of lights in inertial frame of reference varied according to the general laws of motion. However, erroneous interpretation of Michelson's experiments by Lorentz and FitzGerald lead to the notion that the speed of light was unaffected by the speed of its source or observer - it was a universal constant - later incorporated into Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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