trc (09/16/82)
In one arguement for time dilation, a thought experiment is done that has a moving observer bounce a beam of light off a mirror, in a direction perpendicular to his direction of motion. A stationary observer sees the light moving on a diagonal, and so concludes that time is slowed in the moving frame, since the speed of light is constant, and he saw the beam travel farther than the moving observer. Suppose frame b moves right with respect to frame a, and projects a beam at an angle backwards such that the beam's wavefront appears to move perpendicularly in frame a. Then the beam travels less distance in the non-moving frame, and so takes less time than in the moving frame. Thus, time appears expanded, according to this experiment. This is the exact opposite of what is suggested by the other experiment. Should we conclude from this that there is a fundamental problem? EG, that maybe the light wouldnt appear to go at a constant velocity in different directions for the moving frame. Or should we conclude that time dilation is dependent upon the direction of motion, perhaps. Or is something wrong with this experiment? Tom Craver houti!trc