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April 28, 2024, 10:52:10 am

Author Topic: Special Relativity: Evidence confirming OR denying Einstein's postulates  (Read 2481 times)  Share 

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frog0101

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Hi,
For the dotpoint:

Analyse and evaluate the evidence confirming or denying Einstein’s two postulates:
  • The speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute constant
  • All inertial frames of reference are equivalent

What evidence is there denying either of Einstein's two postulates?
And is there any other evidence that supports Einstein's postulates besides the Michelson-Morley Experiment?

DrDusk

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The whole reason Einstein's theory is so highly regarded is because no one can find a counter example. As soon as someone finds one the whole theory must be questioned. Now there is one place where his theory breaks down and that is at the center of a black hole where density becomes infinite etc, but you do not need to know this.

Right now I can't really think of any other evidence

jamonwindeyer

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Hey! Some other evidence for:

- Decay of muons in earths atmosphere
- We need to incorporate special relativity into our GPS systems for proper accuracy
- Hafele-Keating experiment
- Other evidence from particle accelerators

As for against, you might be able to find some 'flawed' experiments which suggest that time dilation/length contraction don't occur? But as DrDusk says, Einstein's theory is pretty much gospel at this point, counter examples will be tough to find ;D

DrDusk

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Hey! Some other evidence for:

- Decay of muons in earths atmosphere
- We need to incorporate special relativity into our GPS systems for proper accuracy
- Hafele-Keating experiment
- Other evidence from particle accelerators

As for against, you might be able to find some 'flawed' experiments which suggest that time dilation/length contraction don't occur? But as DrDusk says, Einstein's theory is pretty much gospel at this point, counter examples will be tough to find ;D
Isn't this evidence more applicable to the ideas of time dilation, length contraction etc. I would say it more so indirectly supports the two given postulates...