Gravity and the speed of light
« on: February 08, 2018, 01:17:17 AM »
So the flat earth explanation of gravity is that the earth constantly accelerates upwards at 9.8 m/s/s, But would this not have the earth eventually passing the speed of light, which is impossible to do? Or is the speed of light and the inability of things with mass to reach it all made up to protect round earth theory?

*

Offline Rushy

  • Planar Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 8582
    • View Profile
Re: Gravity and the speed of light
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2018, 06:43:26 PM »
Do you have any reasonable evidence that suggests you can't go faster than the speed of light? Keep in mind that relativity is the result of mathematical derivation, not experimental physics. There's no experimental evidence that actually shows the speed of light really is the speed limit of the universe, in fact, many scientific established ideas, such as quantum tunneling, show that the speed of light is not a speed limit at all. The vast majority of relativity is nothing more than mathematical thought experiments, few of which match actual observations of the universe.

I suggest reading papers such as: https://arxiv.org/abs/1412.7200 which go into great detail about experimental observation of the supposed "speed limit" of the universe being surpassed.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2018, 06:46:40 PM by Rushy »

*

Offline Pete Svarrior

  • e
  • Planar Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 16082
  • (◕˽ ◕ ✿)
    • View Profile
Re: Gravity and the speed of light
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2018, 07:49:02 PM »
But would this not have the earth eventually passing the speed of light, which is impossible to do?
No, it wouldn't, and that's completely separate from the Flat Earth Theory. You need to read up on Special Relativity.
Read the FAQ before asking your question - chances are we already addressed it.
Follow the Flat Earth Society on Twitter and Facebook!

If we are not speculating then we must assume

JohnAdams1145

Re: Gravity and the speed of light
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2018, 05:42:48 AM »
Rushy is wrong on this, and Pete is right. There's a good reason why the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit; it's because this is the speed of field propagation.

There is experimental evidence for SR, namely electromagnetism and time dilation experiments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagnac_effect
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminiferous_aether#Second_order_experiments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy%E2%80%93Thorndike_experiment

From the two principles:
1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames (otherwise, there are a lot of logical paradoxes)
2. The speed of light is the same in all reference frames (experimental)

all of special relativity arises. That is a mathematical certainty.

Re: Gravity and the speed of light
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2018, 05:02:51 PM »
Are there any scientific papers I can read regarding the theory of the earth accelerating upwards? It’s a truly fascinating concept that I would love to sit and read.
If this is a fundamental principle in a flat earth theory then it needs to be peer reviewed. If the logic and the science behind it holds up, it CANNOT be dismissed.

*

Offline juner

  • Planar Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 10178
    • View Profile
Re: Gravity and the speed of light
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2018, 05:06:02 PM »
Are there any scientific papers I can read regarding the theory of the earth accelerating upwards? It’s a truly fascinating concept that I would love to sit and read.
If this is a fundamental principle in a flat earth theory then it needs to be peer reviewed. If the logic and the science behind it holds up, it CANNOT be dismissed.

Refrain from off-topic posting in the upper fora. Warned.