New Physical Meaning and Principle of Determining the Speed of Light Constant

Abstract

The work applies to all areas of physics where the speed constant is used - the speed of light in a vacuum c, in particular - to quantum physics, solid state physics, optical physics, physics of electromagnetic fields and waves and provides for clarification of the true physical meaning of this fundamental physical constant. At this time, it is defined as the path length of the light flux per unit time, which in SI is 1 s. The work shows the main methods for determining the speed of light and increasing its accuracy in their historical development to the modern level. At the same time, the shortcomings of the modern interpretation and measurement of the speed of light, which depend on the influence of the external environment, are indicated. This detracts from the level of c as a constant compared to other fundamental physical constants. Elimination of this shortcoming and a new interpretation of the speed of light c, and the principle of its determination as a fundamental physical constant, is the main goal of the work being performed. Its scientific novelty is the substantiation of a new interpretation and principle for determining the speed of light c on the basis of strict and reliable physical laws of the material world. Research methods: The work performed has the level of scientific discovery, for the creation of which there are still no strict methods. Therefore, it used general methods and principles of scientific research – deduction and induction, based on the application of the laws of dialectics, reliable laws of physics and general ways of developing the theory of knowledge. The author’s method of transition to the initial level of the material world, justified, was also used. New results of work and their discussion: The necessity of the action of the speed of light constant at all levels of the material world is shown and their features are substantiated. The preference for its definition as the ratio of the wavelengths of physical fields and radiation to their period is shown. In this case, an absolutely exact ratio can be obtained at the quantum level of the material world, since quanta are immutable quantities. The implementation of this principle is possible at the 4th (atomic) level of the material world, since such devices for determining length and time have already been created and are highly accurate. But this possibility is true for all 12 levels of the material world. This allows us to formulate and define a new true physical meaning of the speed of light - as the ratio of the wavelengths of the physical fields associated with any objects and the period of their radiation, in particular the electromagnetic field. Conclusions: The new definition of the true physical speed of light excludes the influence of the environment under normal measurement conditions. It is necessary to distinguish in terminology and use the true speed of light c and the speed of light fluxes, which should also be taken into account in the partial and general theories of relativity