Variable Speed of Light and Gravitational Redshift: A New Perspective on the Nature of Space

Variable Speed of Light and Gravitational Redshift: A New Perspective on the Nature of Space

(zenodo.org) Introduction The speed of light is traditionally considered a fundamental constant. A core postulate of modern physics states that the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers, regardless of their motion or the motion of the light source. This principle is embedded in both Special Relativity (SR) and General Relativity (GR), and its validity has never been questioned. However, several key aspects allow us to reconsider this postulate. In this article, we will examine the foundations upon which the postulate of the constancy of the speed of light was introduced, the conditions required for it to remain unchanged, and the observable phenomena that may indicate its limitations. In particular, we will demonstrate that gravitational redshift can be considered evidence that the speed of light is not absolute but depends on the energy density of space. 1. The Postulate of the Constancy of the Speed of Light In Special Relativity, the speed of light is introduced as an axiom, requiring...
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Gravitational Redshift and Variable Speed of Light: An Alternative to Spacetime Curvature

Gravitational Redshift and Variable Speed of Light: An Alternative to Spacetime Curvature

zenodo.org) Introduction Gravitational redshift is one of the effects predicted by General Relativity (GR). It is observed when a photon leaves a region with a high gravitational potential and loses part of its energy, leading to an increase in its wavelength (a decrease in frequency). In classical GR, this is explained through the curvature of spacetime. However, what if this effect can be explained differently—through changes in the speed of light in a gravitational field? In this article, we explore an alternative approach in which the speed of light depends on the gravitational potential, and we demonstrate that it leads to the same result as the standard GR explanation. 1. Standard Explanation of Gravitational Redshift in GR Within GR, the frequency of a photon moving in a gravitational field changes according to the following formula: where: ve ​ — the initial photon frequency (at radius re ​), vr ​ — the observed photon frequency (at radius rr ​), G — the gravitational constant, M — the mass of the gravitating...
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