last updated: 01/01/2003
AN ALTERNATIVE THEORY
Examine this alternative hypothesis if you would. By picturing electromagnetic phenomena in their two commonly accepted forms, i.e., waves and particles, and then combining these two forms into one configuration, a theory emerges. This theory imagines electromagnetic phenomena to consist of oscillating particles traveling through the cosmos, behaving both as a stream of particles and as a wave front concurrently. In any given time frame the particles in this stream travel a greater distance than the wave front advances. The measure of this added distance is a function of the amplitude of the wave. For this reason, the average angular velocity of the particle wave must exceed its linear velocity (see figure 1).
The principle of relative velocity holds that the uniform translatory velocity of two bodies with respect to a Galilean system of co-ordinates must be added or subtracted to determine the relative velocity of the respective bodies. If this is, a priori, a universally valid theory as is suggested by its simplicity and logical appeal, it should provide a solution when applied to the law of the transmission of light. At first examination such does not appear to be the case inasmuch as the constant propagation velocity of a light wave precludes the addition or subtraction of velocities. If however, as we have perceived, the angular velocity of an electromagnetic wave is separate and distinct from the propagation velocity of the wave, it could hold true that the angular velocity will vary while the propagation velocity remains constant. This distinct and variable angular characteristic of the oscillating particle could provide the means to add or subtract relative velocities and still sustain an absolute velocity of propagation. Thus, the proposed hypothesis could satisfy both the principle of relative velocity and the law of the constant velocity of light.
As evidenced by the Doppler effect, when an observer is in motion toward the source of an electromagnetic wave the frequency of the wave increases while the length of the wave decreases (i.e., with respect to the observer) (see figure 2).
Consistent with the principle of relative velocity, the relative motion of an observer approaching the source of an electromagnetic wave should effect an increase in the velocity of the wave as measured by the observer. The dimensions of the Doppler effected wave would theoretically be a function of the wave's original frequency and wave length. Calculating the angular velocity of a hypothetical photon wave with and without the Doppler effect, we see that there is in fact an increase in the wave's angular velocity, even as the linear velocity of the wave remains constant (see figure 3).
It is this Doppler effect then, as experienced by the observer, that causes the wave to compress and therefore the average angular velocity of the wave to increase relative to the observer. Note also that the relative intensity of the wave increases as would be expected.
As is apparent from the illustration, time (clocks) and matter (measuring rods) are not distorting or contracting, but rather the electromagnetic wave is compressing as a consequence of the Doppler effect caused by the observer's relative velocity. While the propagation velocity remains constant, the phenomena enjoyed by the observer are; the wave's frequency increases, its length decreases, the wave compresses and the oscillating particles traverse a greater distance in a given time. It is these phenomena that effect an increase in the wave's average angular velocity relative to the observer. This resulting variation (increase) in the wave's average angular velocity exists as a function of the relative velocity between the observer and the source of the wave.
In the next illustration the opposite effect is encountered. In this scenario the observer is receding from the source of the electromagnetic wave. The photon wave now becomes elongated from the observer's inertial frame of reference. Measuring the wave's velocity the observer would note that the propagation velocity remains constant, but that there is a decrease in the angular velocity and relative intensity of the wave (see figure 4).