6 papers · 1 filter
The "optical" version of the barn-pole problem
Eric Baird
We present diagrams and simple calculations for the apparent (i.e. photographable) length of a moving ruler skimming the observer's position, under three different classes of model…
Newton's aether model
Eric Baird
Isaac Newton is usually associated with the idea of absolute space and time, and with ballistic light-corpuscle arguments. However, Newton was also a proponent of wave/particle dua…
Transverse redshift effects without special relativity
Eric Baird
Transverse redshift effects are sometimes presented as being unique to special relativity (the "transverse Doppler effect"). We argue that if the detector is aimed at 90 degrees in…
Relativistic angle-changes and frequency-changes
Eric Baird
We generate a set of "relativistic" predictions for the relationship between viewing angle and apparent frequency, for each of three different non-transverse shift equations. We fi…
Two exact derivations of the mass/energy relationship, E=mc^2
Eric Baird
The E=mc^2 relationship is not unique to special relativity. Einstein published one exact derivation from special relativity and two approximate derivations that used general exten…
Warp drives, wavefronts and superluminality
Eric Baird
Coule's primary objection to the Alcubierre "warpdrive" is that the material producing the warp field needs to be superluminal. This difficulty is solved by placing the drive mater…