|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Lightspeed as a curvature scalar
Why c (the speed of light) is the value that it is (~3x10^8 m/s) is
sort of a non-question because we would ask the same regardless of its value. It's just a universal parameter. But some generalization opens up the possibility that it may be a scalar artefact of the curvature of space, and that different curvatures may feature different values of c. Standard cosmology models that the space manifold is flat. Given that spherical and hyperbolic manifolds are self-consistent, it seems most remarkable that space should be flat, i.e., that the degree of curvature should be precisely zero (neglecting perturbations). My idea is that there is an observer component to this, that any observer perceives his own space to be flat. I think all will agree that in the presence of (say) a large black hole, any observer falling through the event horizon will still see his local space to be flat. So my notion is that our perception of the flatness of the universe is because we see our local space to be flat because of the same observer-dependent dynamic that exists in quantum physics. and currently we assume this flatness, i.e., particular value of curvature, to perpetuate wherever we look. Next, a point about hyperbolic space of which not all are acutely aware, and that is that in hyperbolic space distant things are closer than in flat space. This is because the shells of space are larger than 4*pi*R^2, and are in fact arbitrarily large depending on how hyperbolic the space is. Thus light dissipates accordingly and everything looks the same but when you travel there it turns out to be closer than in flat space, so you get there faster. It is as though the speed of light was faster. Given this, it could then be extrapolated to the first moment of the universe when we can posit that the universe was almost infinitely hyperbolic with everything everywhere at once. Thus so-called "inflation" was simply a consequence of the hyper-hyperbolic space allowing quick action over a vast volume. As the universe grew its curvature lessened and so did c. Thus today's value of c is just where we are now as the universal manifold continues to trend more spherical as the universe grows. I don't necessarily believe this model to be true, but it seems a reasonable mechanism by which the Standard model can work without any need for the "magic" of inflation. Thus by this view, light speed and the curvature of space are intimately connected -- light speed is simply a scalar expression of the curvature of space. 20 years ago I put forth the proposition that the Copenhagen interpretation of physics should be embraced in an extreme way, where the observer is fundamentally linked to physical law. This -- that any observer sees his own local space as flat -- is an example consequence. And I'll stop there, cheers. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Lightspeed as a curvature scalar
It's worth mentioning as a postscript to the OP, that universal
expansion may not be necessary if spatial curvature is simply decaying with time, as follows. Model a universe bounded by an N-dimensional sphere of constant radius. At t=0. its internal spatial curvature is C(0) which is some high enough value that the universe is essentially contiguous everywhere, i.e. maximum distance is arbitrarily close to zero. In this model, spatial curvature decays with time using the standard exponential decay function C(t) = C(0)*e^(-kt). Lightspeed (c) consequently decreases in tandem with the spatial curvature as outlined in the OP. This model thus provides a mechanism both for inflation (the very high spatial curvature in early times which solves the flatness problem) and redshift (as e.g., light at z=1 hails from a time when c was twice the speed, and so the slowed light is naturally redshifted). So it's a simple model. Possibly there's not even a singularity. As for reverberations, no I don't see where those would come from. Ugly facts can be such a nuisance... cheers, Eric Flesch |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Is lightspeed really a limit? | [email protected] | Policy | 8 | October 22nd 12 12:40 AM |
If lightspeed were constant to all frames | Pentcho Valev | Astronomy Misc | 3 | August 20th 08 03:17 PM |
Gravity and lightspeed question | Steve2 | Astronomy Misc | 14 | January 12th 08 06:48 PM |
Matter faster than lightspeed ? | G=EMC^2 Glazier[_1_] | Misc | 1 | February 22nd 07 02:28 AM |
Matter faster than lightspeed ? | Starlord | Misc | 1 | February 21st 07 07:59 AM |