First we will find a way to measure the speed of light value to learn about its significance. Let’s say that the speed of light is 3×10^8 meters per second. It means that it can travel a distance of 3×10^8 meters in 1 second.
Misconceptions:
1.) Let’s say we create an imaginary tunnel of length 3×10^8 meters. And add a stopwatch on both ends. And pass light from one end to the other. And note the reading on the stopwatch on the other side. Mathematically it is a very good solution and it will give you the speed of the light. But Physically that is impossible to do.
2.) Light speed is constant:-> Light speed varies and its speed near COG is very different from EOG. If its speed is constant that means we are on the same side of the gravitational wave.
What is the difference or relation between Electric field and Magnetic field ?
To find the answers to this, we will start with the ceiling fan, when we pass electric current, it creates a magnetic field moving the rotor and blades of the fan.
Now this magnetic field again creates a very “tiny electric field”, such that over a period of time this field deposits dust particles on the edges of the fan blade. And you have to clean your fan every few months.
So this example was to illustrate that
Electric Field — (generates) –> Magnetic Field — (generates) –> Electric Field (Small)
So they keep on generating each other in a vicious circle. This effect is strongly evident when the fields are at astronomical scale.
Another important thing to note is that:
Electric Field: Compresses Space-Time -> Temperature is directly proportional Electric field
Magnetic Field: Expands Space-Time -> Temperature is inversely proportional to Magnetic field
Inside a very heavy Planet or a Star, there is superheated metal at its core at very high temperatures, and its electric field generates a very strong magnetic field, which can be felt from huge distances on all objects near the planet/star.
Referring to the fan example, this planet’s magnetic field would also be producing electric fields on the objects nearby. And this vicious circle of electro-magentic fields giving birth to each other and either compressing or expanding space-time is actually called “Gravitational Wave”. You can also say that the quantum gravity at atomic level is kind of the end of this “vicious circle” which starts from the heaviest Star’s core of our Observable Universe.
From this picture it must be clear that the core of the star/planet compresses space-time as it contains mostly electric fields. The surface of the planet is comparatively a safer place, as space-time expands here. Therefore some people are optimistic that natural microscopic life can take birth on a planet, but that life will not be longer than a few hours or days. As gravity will cause a lot of damage there over a longer period of time.
Why is the speed of light calculated using Lab?
Before we discuss that, I wanted to share what scary thing light does in the “Dark Region” of the EOG section of our Universe.
As shown in the picture, when the light travels from a distant star, its speed decreases and as it tries to go through the “Dark Region”, the temperature becomes so cold that it starts losing all its energy and starts getting converted into matter called as “Black Ice”. Normal ice that you see in the refrigerator is transparent, because light can pass through it when it is formed from water. Also, we know that any object, for example a red street light signal at a crossing, is red because it absorbs all colors and reflects only the red color.
Hence black ice is black because light itself cannot reach this cold “Dark Region” so it cannot be reflected as well. And any object that cannot reflect light color or light is “black”. Going further, due to space-time expansion, in this region. Lets say 1 min on earth could be equal to 10 min or many times more in this “Dark region”. So some of the rocks we get from here are thousands or millions of years old. As the Black ice quickly gets converted to massive “Black Rocks” or “Asteroids”. And as they are are formed when light stops moving. So their speed can be considered almost zero relative to the other objects moving in the EOG.
And we know that we are moving at about say 20,000km/hour to 70,000km/hour relative to this “Black Rock” from the “Dark Region”. So when the “Black Rock” moves towards COG slowly due to gravitational pull from the stars, even a slightest impact brings huge losses to life and machines in our “Castle Of Glass(Earth)” because of the difference in relative speeds.
Also, the temperature in “Dark Region” cannot be measured, but you can get an idea, that it is below 0 Kelvin. Actual value will be exponentially lower as we go further into the dark region. And this value is immeasurable.
So measuring the speed of light in Labs, helps in learning about the size and speed of the “Black Ice” and “Black Rocks” in the region we are navigating. And guide our rockets in firing at the correct speed and direction.
How is the speed of light calculated using Lab?
Coming back to our lab. We will be using “Artificial Magnets”, to create a similar super cold and expanded region like “Dark Region” in EOG.
Light of any color, say reddish-orange, is passed through “Artificial Magnets” as shown in the picture. The beauty of these magnets is that they expand space-time and generate an extremely low temperature. And as discussed above, this light beam at extremely low temperature gets converted to black ice. Now from “Conservation of Energy”, we know that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but converted from one form to another.
Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy
So by finding the mass of the black ice generated here, we calculate its Potential Energy. And we use this formula:-
Potential Energy = PE Constant x (mass of black ice)
Kinetic Energy = KE constant x λ. x frequency x Amplitude
* This formula is just an example to show the concept, do not use this in your school exam
By trial and error we know the amplitude, KE Constant, PE constant. And calculate the speed of light :-
v = fλ = (PE Constant x (mass of black ice)) ÷ (KE constant x Amplitude)≈ 3 x 10^8 m/s
So, (mass of black ice) ∝ (λ. x frequency) or Speed of Light
How are Artificial Magnets(A.M.) created ?
Magnets do not exist in nature. So any magnet that you may see is artificial. However to measure the speed of light we have to create very big and powerful magnets.
You can also draw the analogy of MAGnEts as similar to a mage game
Let ‘s say you want to find your way out in this puzzle mage(picture below). If the walls inside the mage are complicated, then you will be passing more time inside the mage. Any other person who does not enter the mage, for him the time passed will be less. To reach the other side. So you can see the analogy of time expansion here.
To create magnets, as shown in picture below, multiple small magnets are created separately on left side of image and then joined by gravity to form a much bigger magnet on the right side of image.
Every small magnet can be made from any matter, there are following conditions that must be met:-
1. We know the electric field generates a very strong magnetic field. But as it also generates heat. This method cannot be used.
2. The material should be able to lower down the temperature drastically and expand space-time
3. We should be able to create magnets safely in a laboratory
So you can see in order to deal with so many limitations, we cannot create a bigger A.M. easily on earth. However in deep-space by using external electro-magentic fields(Not shown in picture) multiple small magents are joined together. To create a much bigger and powerful magnet (A.M.) which is more than the size of the Lab itself.
Refer to the picture of this mage puzzle on the left side, which is a “zoom in” of smaller magnet M1. This mage is a representation of electrons and fields movement at atomic level. You can also think of this mage as your room, with 2 open doors(Entry from blue arrow line at bottom and Exit from blue arrow line at Top). Now if you keep the 2 doors of this room always open, you will feel air passing through it and a cool breeze always.
Exactly the same thing happens at atomic level, but here no air is flowing here instead the “space-time flows” as it expands and contracts.
First we connect the tiny small magnets like M1 with 2 wires as shown in picture with red color text and pass electric current. Then, using trial and error the electric current wave passes in small amounts, such that it does not heat the magnet. But only changes the wave function of the electrons, such that their resistance to passing electric-field is almost zero. It may happen the resistance may not reduce, then we use a different object. And this process is repeated several times, and that is why it is very expensive. Because the chances of success are low here.
After lots of hard-work, when we are able to lower down the resistance of the small magnets, they become super cool. Now many such small magnets(M1, M2, M3 and so on) are fused into each other as shown in picture on right side, without increasing their temperature. And a bigger magnet is formed. You can imagine that this bigger magnet has several holes on 2 sides of it, but these holes are at atomic level, and not visible to the naked-eye.
This bigger magnet is powerful enough and has the ability that a very tiny light beam passing through it, will be stopped. And converted into “Black Ice”.
Side Note:
All the water that you see and drink was “Black Ice” at some point in history. Nature does not create fresh and clean drinking water from energy directly. Black ice, when heated, gets converted into water-vapour, and when this vapour condenses in the presence of light, produces transparent water that you see.
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