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Re: [Phys-l] Absolute four-momentum of massless particles



Yes, but that approach simply substitutes the validity of Maxwell's Equations as the second postulate!

Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (EM)
treborsci@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Spagna Jr., George" <gspagna@rmc.edu>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 10:04 AM
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Absolute four-momentum of massless particles

The second postulate is not needed. The first postulate says that all the "laws of physics" apply in an inertial frame, so that you cannot determine by any experiment. The speed of light (whatever it is!) in vacuo is given by Maxwell's equations, so the constant value of c is a consequence of the first postulate.

*******************************************************
"Who cares about half a second after the big bang;
what about the half a second before?"
- Fay Weldon
*******************************************************

Dr. George Spagna
Physics Department
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, VA 23005-5505

phone: (804) 752-7344
fax: (804) 752-4724
e-mail: gspagna@rmc.edu
http://faculty.rmc.edu/gspagna/public_html/index.html

_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l


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