OT: Alien Contact

Fyron · #1 February 26th, 2003, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rdouglass:
I would disagree IF, light has constant velocity in a vacuum. That is represented by C IIRC. (It's been a long time since physics class). Also, I thought that was one of the reasons why light fits the wave theory as well as the particle theory - because it has variable velocity depending on the medium...

No, the light only seems to slow down in a thicker medium. It does not actually slow down. It has only been 26 hours since the Last time I was in a physics class.

[ February 26, 2003, 21:07: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

rdouglass · #2 February 26th, 2003, 11:07 PM

To Quote:

To be precise, what we usually call the "speed of light" is really the speed of light in a vacuum (the absence of matter). In reality, the speed of light depends on the material that light moves through. Thus, for example, light moves slower in glass than in air, and in both cases the speed is less than in a vacuum.

Fyron · #3 February 26th, 2003, 11:09 PM

Yeah, I can make up random quotes too. What is your point?

rdouglass · #4 February 26th, 2003, 11:12 PM

My point is, just do a Google search on the "speed of light" and you'll see MANY references that say you're incorrect and that light does vary in speed...

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physic..._of_light.html

rdouglass · #5 February 26th, 2003, 11:13 PM

Maybe you meant "C" is a constant....

Greybeard · #6 February 26th, 2003, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oleg:

quote:
Originally posted by Greybeard:
I don't believe that alien races exist, at least not on a level with humans. This would be inconsistent with a God who created mankind to be in His likeness, and be special in all of creation.

...
Greybeard

Your argument is fallacious: You question the ability of Allmighty to create the very similar race on any other celectial body. After all, Star Treck proved we can interbreed with Klingons, Vulcans, etc. proving we all are the same kind !

If you read carefully, I didn't question the Almighty's ability. I just said it was inconsistent with His nature. God can do whatever he wants. However, he has revealed himself in his word and in nature, and I believe that he is consistent and doesn't change....Greybeard

Fyron · #7 February 26th, 2003, 11:15 PM

Light seems to slow down because the different wavelengths travel at slightly different speeds. When a beam white light (which consists of all colors/wavelengths of visible light) goes from a thin medium to a thick medium (such as from air to water), the faster wavelengths of light seem to have a longer distance to travel, as they are on the outside of the angle of refraction. The slower wavelenghts are on the inside of the turn, and so seem to travel a shorter distance. This gives the appearance of the light slowing down, when in actuality, it does not. I forget the exact mathematical proof that shows that the light did not slow down any.