Measuring The Speed of Light

[timqliu]

For my science fair project, i decided to find out if the motion of the source of the beam of light will affect its speed. I saw in a book somewhere that the speed of light cannot be achieved since it is impossible to move an infinite mass, and that the speed of light is the maximum speed in the universe. And, that if faster-than-light speed is achieved, it would theoretically be travelling back in time. But, being the foolish person that i am, i decided to prove this. But after reading many failed attempts to measure the speed of light, i wasn't sure if i could handle bleep like this. so my question is: How would you measure the speed of light accurately?

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

Here are two experimental writeups of ways to measure the speed of light:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p056.shtml

You may enjoy reading these historical reviews on how the speed of light was originally measured:

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/wa ... dence.html

http://itotd.com/articles/284/measuring ... -of-light/

I hope this answers your question.

Best regards,

Barrett L. Tomlinson

[timqliu]

Hi , thanks alot for the reply, but im afraid it wont be any help... (sorry)
You see, my objective is to see if the speed of photons increase if the motion of the object emitting the light is increase. With the first link, i have to ask if the angle of refraction increases as the speed of the light increases. If it does not, I cannot use the first example.
Secondly, with the microwave experiment, i can't really move the light source, so... that probably wont do.
Any other ideas
Anyone

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

It sounds like you want to look into the Michelson Morley experiment, which attempted tp measure the motion of the light conductinf aether:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelson% ... experiment

Check it out and see if it matches your interest!

Best regards,


Barrett L. Tomlinson