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Invariant speed

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The invariant speed or observer invariant speed is a speed which is measured to be the same in all reference frames by all observers. The invariance of the speed of light is one of the postulates of special relativity, and the terms speed of light and invariant speed are often considered synonymous. In non-relativistic classical mechanics, or Newtonian mechanics, finite invariant speed does not exist (the only invariant speed predicted by Newtonian mechanics is infinity).[1][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rindler, Wolfgang (2001). Relativity: Special, General and Cosmological. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-850836-0.
  2. ^ Mermin, N. David (1984). "Relativity without light". American Journal of Physics. 52 (2). American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT): 119–124. Bibcode:1984AmJPh..52..119M. doi:10.1119/1.13917. ISSN 0002-9505.