Re: Beginner Questions


"Jim" <jimafeel@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1180378267.173405.231350@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On May 28, 12:14 am, "Sue..." <suzysewns...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On May 27, 11:15 pm, Jim <jimaf...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
[...]



I read a statement by Albert Einstein in his book that I would like to
have clarified. It was concerning the bending of light rays passing
near the sun. His statement in the chapter "Experimental Confirmation
of Defection of Light By A Gravitational Field" was: "It may be added
that, according to the theory, half of this deflection is produced by
the Newtonian field of attraction of the sun, and the other half by
the geometrical modification (curvature) of space caused by the sun."

This use of a particle model of light is controversial to this day. It
is probably as bad or misleading as Einstiein's photoelectric paper
which won a Nobel prize. Nevertheless, what many call the "most
sucessfull theory ever" is also based on a particle model, Feynman's
QED. QED is quantitativly successful, 'tho admitedly absurd in its
physical mechanisms.

The controversy surrounding GR's light bending claims and the
simple fact that so many are reluctant to accept it over alternate
explanations (dielectric effects) should probably raise some serious
red flags whether it is a valid test of GR.

The particle light model has been in continuous
flux:http://nobelprize.org/physics/articles/ekspong/index.html
...so it is nearly impossible to say whether Einstein hit
a moving target because he was lucky or because he
took careful aim.

There are some more direct experiments currently under
study and their further analysis might better inform just
how the "bending light" claims should be viewed.

http://einstein.stanford.edu/http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/GSP/SEM0L6OVGJE_0.html

Sue...

[..]

Thank all, I am digesting your comments and seeing a little more light
than when I first posted.

I wouldn't worry too much about subtleties to start with. Although at a
level above popularist writings, I strongly recommend the following, as it
gives you the correct facts without any of 'dumming' down you find in
popularist literature.

http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/March01/Carroll3/Carroll_contents.html

The trouble with this 'dumbing down' to make it 'digestible' to lay people
is quite a few important things get lost. IMHO, you are better off reading
the full technical literature and not worrying about what you don't
understand at this stage (but will become clear as you learn more) than
getting half truths. Then, as your math improves, you can gradually come to
grips with it all. Take your time and have fun. You have a long, but
interesting, journey ahead - and when finished a feeling of accomplishment
that you understand relativity at a level those who only read popularist
writings never can.

Thanks
Bill


Jim



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Beginner Questions
    ... near the sun. ... This use of a particle model of light is controversial to this day. ... The controversy surrounding GR's light bending claims and the ... took careful aim. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Beginner Questions
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    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Beginner Questions
    ... I read a statement by Albert Einstein in his book that I would like to ... near the sun. ... This use of a particle model of light is controversial to this day. ... The controversy surrounding GR's light bending claims and the ...
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