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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Is speed of light in a vacuum behaving in same way as speed of sound in air?
« on: 27/05/2016 23:03:58 »I see now that it is a great way of evading the issue, that is, the issue of a wavefront's speed depending only on the medium and not on its initiator.I think you need to go back and reread everything I've written - including Alan's posts.
Nothing has been evaded, we've been very clear and upfront. That's the reason I took the trouble to write a longer explanation than usual, rather than give you a glib answer.
There is no universal rule that a wavefront's speed depends only on the medium and not on the initiator, however, as we explained it does occur with some media in some situations.
Its just that I have not seen it written anywhere, nor can I imagine how physcially, where it is suggested that the speed of a wave is not dependent on its medium's properties. This is why I found it be rather illuminating.
We get (340-16.6) 323.4m/s if the car and wavefront are moving in the same direction.Correct. The wavefront will catch up with the car, but more slowly. This can also be termed closing, but is not the scenario given in McQueen's incorrect calculation.
Now you are in a position to complete the correct calculation of time to intercept and distance traveled by car (b).
I see now that it is a great way of evading the issue, that is, the issue of a wavefront's speed depending only on the medium and not on its initiator.
This has been explained. You may disagree so then agree to disagree. By accusing someone of being evasive you appear to be trying to foster the impression of dishonesty on the part of another member. I hope you will apologise for this slight. If not shame on you.
It seems this media, the forum, is too simple a method to convey every nuanced meaning. After all, this is just basic texting back and forth, so not all can be explained at the same time.
If I was to put it another way, is that its directed at the way that physics is taught in general these days, and not at Colin2B. So, my statement would still hold: that the way it is explained, or taught, or whatever, is one way to evade the core issue.
The core issue being: that the speed of sound is solely dependent on the properties of the medium, and not on the speed of the originator.
If that isn't clear enough, I am not sure how else to explain it.