2007-02-13 00:57:25 · 6 answers · asked by adit c 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Einstein was thinking about interesting things concerning space and time. And he asked himself:
What if the speed of light (in a vacuum) is constant?
Working it out he developed a whole theory of space and time that explained a lot of things no one had been able to explain. And he made a prediction. The Sun would bend starlight by its' gravity. So they measured stars near the Sun in a solar eclipse, when they could see them. And found out that the stars' light was being bent by the Sun, and more, it was bent exactly the amount Einstein had predicted. It was unexpected and astounding.
That impressed scientists so much they agreed that the speed of light was constant.
Why did Einstein guess that it might be? You'd have to be a genius like him to say. But the result of that guess was a theory that explains a great deal.
2007-02-13 04:26:26 · answer #1 · answered by Bob 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why not?
Assuming you're talking about the speed of light in a vacuum being the same for all observers, it's just "one of those things". There's no reason for it -- there's no way to predict it from other facts.
Other things that "just are that way": all electrons have the same charge. How come nobody asks why that is?
P.S. "velocity" is speed + direction. Light can go in different directions, so the velocity is not constant.
2007-02-13 02:37:19 · answer #2 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it not, Velocity of light can be altered by a number of factors, in fact the common value quoted for the speed of light is the speed of light in a vacuum.
2007-02-13 01:22:26 · answer #3 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the speed of sunshine is absolute as a results of fact it relatively is shown by means of test (commentary) that all and sundry observers get the comparable answer whilst they degree the speed of sunshine interior the comparable media. no count if it relatively is often the comparable, it is going to be absolute.
2016-12-17 15:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by berkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Why" is not a proper question for a scientist. Science can deal with measurements, mathematical models of chemistry, physics, etc - always trying to make the model calculations more closely match measurements. Why is dealt with more by religion. Shortest poem: "I, why"?
2007-02-13 02:33:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is almighty
2007-02-17 06:14:27 · answer #6 · answered by anubhav_55 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋