Introduction

In the early 1900’s nobody (or at least very few) suspected that time (the clock rate) actually did vary. Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetic waves told us that the behavior of electromagnet waves was a function of time, but this was interpreted as being a function of the passage of time without any consideration that the clock rate itself might vary. The concept that light always had the same speed was therefore almost inevitable. The theory of relativity suggested that time varied, but that had to be repeatedly checked before it became verified and accepted. By that time the assumption that light always had the same speed was fully ingrained into our thinking, which placed a mental block on considering otherwise.

Maxwell’s equations indicate that the propagation of electromagnetic waves is a function of time. Since this must include the speed of propagation, it follows that the speed of light is a function of time and the clock rate upon which the measurement of time is based. If time changes (i.e. the clock rate changes) then so will whatever modifies its behavior as a function of time. It is understandable that this did not seem significant when it was assumed that time could always be measured against a constant clock rate. But we know better now, and it is appropriate to reconsider the assumption that the speed of light is always the same.

This site presents the results of an exploration into the behavior of light which leads to the conclusions that the speed of light is determined by the clock rate in the area through which the light is traveling and that light follows the same physical ‘laws’ as everything else. The behavior of light resulting from these conclusions will be explored both theoretically and through examples. Some of the discussions will leave only questions at the end that will form a basis for further explorations at some later time.