time for the old thought experiment on relativity, only with a slight modification.

take a light source and a light detector and fix them to the same frame of reference. stick a polarized lense in front of the light detector with the polarization being in the direction of the light source. move the apparatus' frame of reference.

does the detector ever sense light from the light source?

2/11/2006 3:52:54 AM

your question is too vague.

2/11/2006 3:54:25 AM

yes. Assuming they are all attached to the apparatus and the motion is inertial. I guess you're thinking of something more interesting... maybe elaborate some...

2/11/2006 1:27:46 PM

Quote :

"with the polarization being in the direction of the light source"

that makes no sense to me. whatsoever.

2/11/2006 1:31:15 PM

i dont get that either

2/11/2006 1:56:07 PM

maybe polarize the light right next to the source, and then have another polarizer next to the reciever that would make the light not reach the reciever at all in a stationary frame. But i'm not sure when that would be violated b/c relitivity. maybe if you spun it, but that's not particularly relitivistic.

i just can't make tails of this at all.

2/11/2006 1:59:56 PM