Scruffy's blog

One Way Speed of Light a Convention?

February 19, 2008

We use the speed of light (c) to synchronize clocks that are separated in space (the Einstein method). Then we use clocks thus synchronized to measure the one way speed of light. What value other than c could we expect?

Is Einstein's Time Dilation and Length Contraction Real?

February 10, 2008

Einstein's special relativity is sometimes popularized with statements like: "moving clocks run slower than stationary clocks and moving rods are length contracted relative to stationary rods". The problem is: what is "moving" and what is "stationary"?

Mozart Transmitted at 4.7c?

January 25, 2008

Gunter Nimtz and colleagues claimed to have transmitted Mozart's Symphony No.40 at 4.7 times the speed of light through a tunneling barrier. How's that possible?

Has Gravity Probe B been a Big Flop?

January 17, 2008

Gravity Probe B (GPB) has now been in data analysis for over a year and still there is no good data forthcoming. Has it been a waste of money?

GPS Clock Rates

January 9, 2008

GPS clocks are said to all tick at the same rate as the GPS master clock on Earth. To achieve this, the clocks are built with an offset in rate and then synchronized daily with the master clock. Why is this necessary?

Gravitational Waves - useful or wasteful?

January 3, 2008

Gravitational waves are predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity. Billions are spent trying to measure them here on Earth, with no success so far. It is claimed that gravitational waves have been detected indirectly in the orbits of a binary pulsar pair. Is the terrestrial search a waste of money?

Acceleration and Gravity Equivalent?

December 26, 2007

In the aerospace industry we encounter both gravitational 'forces' and acceleration forces continuously. This entry questions possible differences between the two.