Quote:
Originally Posted by sheeny
Only to a point, Steve! 
It's a bit hard to accurately determine the speed of light from a thought experiment alone, for example. Ultimately, a practical experiment has to be done to measure it, and more to determine that it is constant relative to the observer. Then, the thought experiments can take place to develop hypotheses, make predictions and devise new experiments.
The two go hand in hand! 
Al. |
Hi Al/Paul
Yes you have a valid point about the two going hand in hand.
Maxwell calculated the speed of light in 1873, Michelson measured it in 1879 some 6 years later.
My point is , man came to this earth, naked with nothing.
Any thing we see and know today owes its existence to the thought processes of man before any piece of measuring or test equipment.
Of course this does not apply to all men, only those who diligently applied their minds to explaining the experiences of the senses.