Simple race between light across moving
frames of reference.
Hence forth known as the Sprague Light Race
frames of reference.
Hence forth known as the Sprague Light Race
Simple race between light across moving frames of reference.
Hence forth known as the Sprague Light Race
Don E. Sprague, don@complexrelativity.com
15 April 2009
Copyright, All rights reserved
Introduction:
A race between two lights is a method of determining if the speed of light is relative and additive to the speed of a
moving frame of reference. Two wheels with lights, a shutter and two light detectors on an event timer. That is
basically what it takes to conduct a controlled race between two beams of light across moving frames of reference.
The speed of the wheels are varied to increase or decrease the rotation speed of the wheels in the light source
frames of references. The shutter is synchronized with the wheels to prevent the light from going to the detectors
until both are traveling from their source to the shutter then both are release at exactly the same time. The speed of
light isn’t the main issue of the race. We already have enough proof that the speed of light is “c” when it is
measured. That is; the speed of light is “c” relative to the moving frame of reference where it is measured.
Until now we have conjecture that the speed of light isn’t additive. Every measurement of the speed of light has been
on a moving frame of reference. We also have data that indicates that the speed of light is additive. Superluminal
motion is the movement of the position of a light source in distant galaxies which seems to indicate typical speeds of
up to 10c. The supporting data is considered to be a result of an optical illusion. Relativity is built in part on the
concept of the elimination of the meaning of time as a result of simultaneous events not appearing to be simultaneous
across moving frames of reference. The words to describe the optical illusion of superluminal motion are the same
words used to validate the illusion of simultaneous events not being simultaneous in the theory of relativity. The light
race will resolve the paradox of conflicting optical illusions. Regardless of the outcome, the race will have a winner.
The speed of light will be confirmed to be either independent of the speed of the frame of reference or relative and
additive to the speed of the reference frame.
If the superluminal motion data is correct, a different arrival time for the lights will emerge in the light race. The
difference in arrival time of the lights is proportional to the speed of the light wheels. If the accepted understanding
of the theory of relativity is correct, the lights will always arrive at the detectors at the same time. Any outcome doesn't
change the fact that simultaneous events remain simultaneous regardless of how it looks without considering all the
data.
Light race first lap
This scenario is one method of conducting a light race. Different methods may use any controllable mechanisms to
propel light sources in opposite directions then gate both lights from a common starting point to finishing points event
timers.
Light from two or more moving frames must have unobstructed travel from their respective sources to a common
shutter and their respective detectors in the target frame. The lights must originate from separate moving wheels or
platforms that are synchronize so the lights align when they are both in position to shine along isolated paths to the
common shutter. The shutter must also be synchronized with the lights to release the light streams at exactly the
same time. Once the shutter releases the lights, they travel through their isolated tracks or paths to the detectors.
There must be a variable speed motor to drive the three synchronized frames which are wheels A and B along with
the shutter. Before the race begins, the lights on both platforms or wheels are shining on a shutter or starting gate. A
slight power is applied to the mechanism to cause both wheels to momentarily move in opposite directions. With the
slight movement, the shutter is tripped. Since the wheels had only a slight incremental movement, the light beams
travel to the light detectors at the same speed and will arrive simultaneously. This verifies accuracy of the starting
gate to release both lights at the same time. Gradually the speed of the mechanism is increased which causes the
speed of the light platforms to increase in opposite directions. Eventually the speed of the moving light frames is
increased until a very high speed is achieved. The difference in arrival time at the detectors can be calculated based
on the size and speed of the wheels along with the distance of travel from the shutter to the detectors. Greater
diameter wheels moving at very high speeds with very long paths from the shutter gate to the detectors increases
the difference in race arrival times for the lights.
Second lap
The second lap of the race addresses the interaction of light as it moves through the target frame of reference. In lap
one, the lights have one point of contact with the target frame when they contact the detectors. In lap two, the lights
have additional contact with the target frame. One modification consists of the addition of typical reflections of the
lights for round trip speed consistency within a frame of reference. Mirrors are added to positions beside both
detectors in lap one. The mirrors reflect both lights through identical round trip paths to a second set of detectors.
The second lap arrival delay times are the same as the delay observed in lap one. This is because the lights are
traveling inside a common frame of reference and their speed is a constant “c” for both lights once they contact any
object inside a common frame of reference.
Another modification in lap two consists of the addition of a lens or simple piece of glass in the lap one path between
the shutter and the detectors. The glass is simply one method of changing the distance of the race to a common
target frame of reference. The glass is placed in one path then in the other path then in both paths. The arrival time
of the lights will change proportional to the location of the glass which changes the detector frame of reference entry
location. The light or lights will enter the detector frames at the glass and their speed will be “c” relative to the
detector frame where they enter the detector frame as they pass through the glass.
Another observation
The lights will have a sideways movement as well as a target direction movement. Consider a ball thrown from a car.
The ball will have some momentum in the direction of the movement of the car as well as the direction the ball is
thrown. The same condition occurs as the lights leave the spinning wheels. This race doesn't measure that
movement but is it worthy of mention.
Hence forth known as the Sprague Light Race
Don E. Sprague, don@complexrelativity.com
15 April 2009
Copyright, All rights reserved
Introduction:
A race between two lights is a method of determining if the speed of light is relative and additive to the speed of a
moving frame of reference. Two wheels with lights, a shutter and two light detectors on an event timer. That is
basically what it takes to conduct a controlled race between two beams of light across moving frames of reference.
The speed of the wheels are varied to increase or decrease the rotation speed of the wheels in the light source
frames of references. The shutter is synchronized with the wheels to prevent the light from going to the detectors
until both are traveling from their source to the shutter then both are release at exactly the same time. The speed of
light isn’t the main issue of the race. We already have enough proof that the speed of light is “c” when it is
measured. That is; the speed of light is “c” relative to the moving frame of reference where it is measured.
Until now we have conjecture that the speed of light isn’t additive. Every measurement of the speed of light has been
on a moving frame of reference. We also have data that indicates that the speed of light is additive. Superluminal
motion is the movement of the position of a light source in distant galaxies which seems to indicate typical speeds of
up to 10c. The supporting data is considered to be a result of an optical illusion. Relativity is built in part on the
concept of the elimination of the meaning of time as a result of simultaneous events not appearing to be simultaneous
across moving frames of reference. The words to describe the optical illusion of superluminal motion are the same
words used to validate the illusion of simultaneous events not being simultaneous in the theory of relativity. The light
race will resolve the paradox of conflicting optical illusions. Regardless of the outcome, the race will have a winner.
The speed of light will be confirmed to be either independent of the speed of the frame of reference or relative and
additive to the speed of the reference frame.
If the superluminal motion data is correct, a different arrival time for the lights will emerge in the light race. The
difference in arrival time of the lights is proportional to the speed of the light wheels. If the accepted understanding
of the theory of relativity is correct, the lights will always arrive at the detectors at the same time. Any outcome doesn't
change the fact that simultaneous events remain simultaneous regardless of how it looks without considering all the
data.
Light race first lap
This scenario is one method of conducting a light race. Different methods may use any controllable mechanisms to
propel light sources in opposite directions then gate both lights from a common starting point to finishing points event
timers.
Light from two or more moving frames must have unobstructed travel from their respective sources to a common
shutter and their respective detectors in the target frame. The lights must originate from separate moving wheels or
platforms that are synchronize so the lights align when they are both in position to shine along isolated paths to the
common shutter. The shutter must also be synchronized with the lights to release the light streams at exactly the
same time. Once the shutter releases the lights, they travel through their isolated tracks or paths to the detectors.
There must be a variable speed motor to drive the three synchronized frames which are wheels A and B along with
the shutter. Before the race begins, the lights on both platforms or wheels are shining on a shutter or starting gate. A
slight power is applied to the mechanism to cause both wheels to momentarily move in opposite directions. With the
slight movement, the shutter is tripped. Since the wheels had only a slight incremental movement, the light beams
travel to the light detectors at the same speed and will arrive simultaneously. This verifies accuracy of the starting
gate to release both lights at the same time. Gradually the speed of the mechanism is increased which causes the
speed of the light platforms to increase in opposite directions. Eventually the speed of the moving light frames is
increased until a very high speed is achieved. The difference in arrival time at the detectors can be calculated based
on the size and speed of the wheels along with the distance of travel from the shutter to the detectors. Greater
diameter wheels moving at very high speeds with very long paths from the shutter gate to the detectors increases
the difference in race arrival times for the lights.
Second lap
The second lap of the race addresses the interaction of light as it moves through the target frame of reference. In lap
one, the lights have one point of contact with the target frame when they contact the detectors. In lap two, the lights
have additional contact with the target frame. One modification consists of the addition of typical reflections of the
lights for round trip speed consistency within a frame of reference. Mirrors are added to positions beside both
detectors in lap one. The mirrors reflect both lights through identical round trip paths to a second set of detectors.
The second lap arrival delay times are the same as the delay observed in lap one. This is because the lights are
traveling inside a common frame of reference and their speed is a constant “c” for both lights once they contact any
object inside a common frame of reference.
Another modification in lap two consists of the addition of a lens or simple piece of glass in the lap one path between
the shutter and the detectors. The glass is simply one method of changing the distance of the race to a common
target frame of reference. The glass is placed in one path then in the other path then in both paths. The arrival time
of the lights will change proportional to the location of the glass which changes the detector frame of reference entry
location. The light or lights will enter the detector frames at the glass and their speed will be “c” relative to the
detector frame where they enter the detector frame as they pass through the glass.
Another observation
The lights will have a sideways movement as well as a target direction movement. Consider a ball thrown from a car.
The ball will have some momentum in the direction of the movement of the car as well as the direction the ball is
thrown. The same condition occurs as the lights leave the spinning wheels. This race doesn't measure that
movement but is it worthy of mention.
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