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The Effect of the Earth's Rotation and Gravity on the Speed of Light
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DOI; https://doi.org/10.24297/jap.v22i.9573
The Effect of the Earth’s Rotation and Gravity on the Speed of Light
Miloš Čojanović
independent author
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Based on the results of the M ichelson˘M orley experiment [1] and the direct measurement of the speed of light in
two directions, we can conclude that the movement of the Earth in relation to the Sun and the movement of the solar
system in relation to the center of the galaxy do not affect the measurement of the speed of light in the vicinity of the
Earth. But on the other hand, based on results of the M ichelson˘M orley experiment and the direct measurement of
the speed of light in two directions we cannot know with certainty whether the Earth’s rotation around its axis affects
the measurement of the speed of light in one direction. Thus, instead of the motion by which the Earth’s surface
moves in relation to the Sun, we will observe the angular motion by which the Earth rotates on its axis relative
to distant stars. Instead of measuring the speed of light in two directions, we will measure the speed of light in one
direction.
1. Introduction
We can state that it has already been proven by the M ichelson − Gale experiment [2] that the rotation of the Earth
affects the measurement of the speed of light. Therefore, it would be logically correct to consider the M ichelson˘M orley
experiment on the one side and the M ichelson − Gale experiment the other side as the two complementary experiments.
Instead of that, we made the logical mistake ignoring the results of the M ichelson − Gale experiment, giving
greater importance to the M ichelson˘M orley experiment. Things are quite different. Based on the results of the
M ichelson − Gale experiment [2], we can predict the result of the M ichelson˘M orley experiment [1], but not the
other way around. It has also already been proven [3] that the velocity of light, with respect to an observer resting
on the Earth surface, is c + v between New York and San Francisco and c − v between San Francisco and New York,
where v ≈ 280[m/sec]. The speed of rotation of the Earth at the latitude of those cities is ≈ 360[m/sec].
2. Angular velocity
We will start with a brief introduction about angular velocity and after that derive the formula for the addition of
angular velocities in the case that the center of the circle moves along an arbitrary curve. After that, we will apply the
obtained results to calculate the Earth’s angular velocity in relation to the stars.
The Angular motion can be defined as the motion of the point A along a Angular path, Figure[1]. We will mark the
center of the circle with O, and with P the fixed point outside the circle. We will define a rectangular coordinate
system so that the point O is its origin and the positive x − axis is determined by the direction OP
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Journal of Advances in Physics Vol 22 (2024) ISSN: 2347-3487 https://rajpub.com/index.php/jap
v(t)
A(t)
θ(t) P x
O
Figure 1: Point A moves with a uniform angular velocity relative to the fixed point O
The angle between the positive x − axis and the direction OA will be denoted by θ. We will define the angle θ as a
function of time.
Angular velocity ω is defined as the change in the angle of rotation of the point A with respect to time.
δθ 0
ω(t) = = θ (t) (3)
0 δt
if ω (t) = 0 =⇒ (ω(t) = ω) (4)
0
If ω (t) = 0 then we will say that point A moves with a uniform angular velocity.
r = OA (5)
θ = ωt (6)
OA = r(t) = r [cos(θ), sin(θ)] = r [cos(ωt), sin(ωt)] (7)
v = rω (8)
δr(t)
v(t) = = rω[− sin(ωt), cos(ωt)] = v[− sin(θ), cos(θ)] (9)
δt
We will define a rectangular coordinate system noted by (K) so that the point O is its origin and the positive x − axis
is determined by the direction OZ. The point Z is the "infinitely" distant point, Figure[2]. We will define a rectangular
coordinate system noted by (K 0 ) so that the point S is its origin and the positive x0 − axis is determined by the
direction OS. We will define a rectangular coordinate system noted by (K 00 ) so that the point S is its origin and the
positive x − axis is determined by the direction SZ.
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Let us assume that the point S moves with a uniform angular velocity w1 about the point O and the point A
moves with a uniform angular velocity w0 about the point S .
X0
A
θ0
S θ1 X Z
F
θ1 S A X ≡ X0 Z
O F
Figure 2: The point S moves with a uniform angular velocity w1 about the point O and the point A moves with a
uniform angular velocity w0 about the point S.
r = SA (10)
θ0 = ∠(SX 0 , SA) (11)
θ0 = ω0 t (12)
θ1 = ∠(OX, OS) = ∠(SX, SX 0 ) (13)
θ1 = ω1 t (14)
(15)
If the angular velocity w1 has the same direction as the angular velocity w0 , we will have the following equations:
θ = θ0 + θ1 (16)
w = w0 + w1 (17)
(18)
If the angular velocity w1 has the opposite direction in relation to the angular velocity w0 , then it is obvious that we
have the following equations
θ = θ0 − θ1 (19)
w = w0 − w1 (20)
The velocity v(t) with which the point A moves in relation to the coordinate system (K 00 ) is given by the following
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equations:
θ(t) = wt (21)
r(t) = SA = r [cos(θ(t)), sin(θ(t))] = r [cos(ωt), sin(ωt)] (22)
δr(t)
v(t) = = rω[− sin(ωt), cos(ωt)] (23)
δt
The velocity v(t) with which the pointA moves in relation to the coordinate system (K 0 ) is given by the following
equations:
θ(t) = w0 t (24)
r(t) = SA = r [cos(θ), sin(θ)] = r [cos(w0 t), sin(w0 t)] (25)
δr(t)
v(t) = = rw0 [− sin(w0 t), cos(w0 t)] (26)
δt
The velocity v(t) with which the pointA moves in relation to the coordinate system (K) is given by the following
equations:
OS = R (27)
θ(t) = wt (28)
r(t) = OA + SA (29)
r(t) = R [cos(θ1 ), sin(θ1 )] + r [cos(θ), sin(θ)] = R [cos(w1 t), sin(w1 t)] + r [cos(wt), sin(wt)] (30)
δr(t)
v(t) = = Rw1 [− sin(w1 t), cos(w1 t)] + rw[− sin(wt), cos(wt)] (31)
δt
Let a R(t) be "sufficiently" differentiable curve. We consider the point S that moves along the curve R and the point
A that moves uniformly on a circle whose center is given by point S, Figure[3]. Let us assume that the point S moves
with a uniform angular velocity w1 about the point O and the point A moves with a uniform angular velocity w0 about
the point S.
We will define a rectangular coordinate system noted by (K) so that the point O is its origin and the positive x − axis
is determined by the direction OZ. The point Z is the "infinitely" distant point. We will define a rectangular coor-
dinate system noted by (K 00 ) so that the point S is its origin and the positive x−axis is determined by the direction SZ.
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y
v(t)
A
r S x Z
F
ρ
S1
R
x Z
O F
R(t)
r = SA (32)
R(t) = OS = [Rx (t), Ry (t)]] (33)
vR (t) = Ṙ(t) = [Ṙx (t), Ṙy (t)] (34)
| vR (t) |=| Ṙ(t) | (35)
R̈(t) = [R̈x (t), R̈y (t)] (36)
Let us denote by ωR (t) the angular velocity with which the point S moves along the circle whose center is the point S1 .
| vR (t) |= ωR ρ (40)
| vR (t) | | Ṙ(t) × R̈(t) | | Ṙx (t)R̈y (t) − Ṙy (t)R̈x (t) |
ωR (t) = =| Ṙ(t) | κ = = 2 2 (41)
ρ | Ṙ(t) |2
Ṙ (t) + Ṙ (t)
x y
If we apply equation (23) in relation to the coordinate system (K 00 ) we have the following equations
5. Angular velocity at which the center of the Earth moves relative to the Sun
Denote by (Q) "The Geocentric-Equatorial Coordinate System" Figure[4]. Its origin Oq is at the center of the Earth,
the fundamental plane is the equator and the positive xq points in the vernal equinox direction. The zq points in the
direction of the north pole. By the definition the Coordinate System (Q) is non-rotating with the respect to the stars.
Denote by (P ) "The Heliocentric-Ecliptic Coordinate System". Its origin Op is centered on the center of mass of the
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solar system, and the fundamental plane coincides with the ecliptic plane of the Earth’s revolution about the Sun. Its
xp − axis has the same direction as xq − axis.
(P )
(Q)
zp zq (Q0 ) zq
vp (θp ) ϕ
ϕ Oq
Op R A yq
θp yp
xq
xp ≡ xq
yq
Figure 4: Ecliptic Coordinate System (P) and Equatorial Coordinate System (Q)
Denote by (Q0 ) the coordinate system created by rotating the coordinate system (P ) around the xp − axis by
an angle ϕ in the negative direction.
1 0 0
A1 =
0 cos(ϕ) − sin(ϕ)
(52)
0 sin(ϕ) cos(ϕ)
(53)
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We will transform the coordinates of the vector Rp (t) from the coordinate system (P ) to the coordinate system (Q0 ).
The vector obtained by this transformation we denote with Rq (t).
We can find the first and second derivative of the vector Rq (t).
− sin(ωp t) − sin(θp )
δRp
Ṙq = = Rωp cos(ϕ) cos(ωp t) = Rωp cos(ϕ) cos(θp ) (56)
δt
sin(ϕ) cos(ωp t) sin(ϕ) cos(θp )
cos(ωp t) cos(θp )
δ Ṙq
= −Rωp2 2
R̈q = cos(ϕ) sin(ωp t) = −Rωp cos(ϕ) sin(θp ) (57)
δt
sin(ϕ) sin(ωp t) sin(ϕ) sin(θp )
In relation to the coordinate system (Q0 ), we define the three curves that we will denote by Rxy (t), Ryz (t) and Rzx (t).
Rx (t)
Rxy (t) =
R y (t)
(58)
0
0
Ryz (t) =
R y (t)
(59)
Rz (t)
Rx (t)
Rzx (t) =
0
(60)
Rz (t)
The angular velocity noted by ωpxy (t) of the curve Rxy (t) is given by equation
cos(ϕ)
ωpxy (t) = ωp (62)
1 − sin2 (ϕ) cos2 (ωp t)
(63)
The angular velocity noted by ωpyz (t) of the curve Ryz (t) is given by equation
| Ṙy R̈z − Ṙz R̈y | −R2 ωp3 (cos(ϕ) cos(θp ) sin(ϕ) sin(θp ) − sin(ϕ) cos(θp ) cos(ϕ) sin(θp ))
ωpyz = = =0 (64)
R2 ωp2 sin2 (θp ) + cos2 (θp ) cos2 (ϕ)
Ṙy2 + Ṙz2
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The angular velocity noted by ωpzx (t) of the curve Rzx (t) is given by equation
sin(ϕ)
ωpzx (t) = ωp (66)
1 − cos (ϕ) cos2 (ωp t)
2
(67)
6. Angular velocity at which the Earth’s surface moves relative to the stars
First, we will find the angular velocity with which the Earth’s surface moves in relation to the Sun.
zq
(Q)
S
yq
θq A wxy
•
wzx
xq
Z
F
Figure 5: Angular velocity at which the Earth’s surface moves relative to the stars
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We can find the first and second derivative of the vector r(t).
δrq
ṙ(t) = = rωq [− sin(ωq t), cos(ωq t), 0] = rωq [− sin(θq ), cos(θq ), 0] (75)
δt
δ ṙq
r̈(t) = = −rωq2 [cos(ωq t), sin(ωq t), 0] = −rωq2 [cos(θq ), sin(θq ), 0] (76)
δt
In relation to the coordinate system (Q), we will define three curves that we will denote by rxy (t), ryz (t) and rzx (t).
rx (t)
rxy (t) =
ry (t)
(77)
0
0
ryz (t) =
ry (t)
(78)
rz (t)
rx (t)
rzx (t) =
0
(79)
rz (t)
if we denote the corresponding angular velocities with ωqxy (t), ωqyz (t) and ωqzx (t) then it is easy to prove that we
have the following equations
Coordinate systems (Q) and (Q0 ) are two coordinate systems that have different centers but equal corresponding axes
(we assume that the axes are vectors), Figure[4]. Now, we will find the angular velocities ωxy , ωyz and ωzx with which
the Earth’s surface moves in relation to the stars, Fig[5].
cos(ϕ)
ωxy = ωpxy + ωqxy = ωpxy + ωq = ωp + ωq (83)
1 − sin2 (ϕ) cos2 (θp )
ωyz = ωpyz + ωqyz = 0 (84)
sin(ϕ)
ωzx = ωpzx + ωqzx = ωpzx = ωp (85)
1 − cos2 (ϕ) cos2 (θp )
It is obvious that the angular velocity with which the solar system moves in relation to the center of the Galaxy is very
small, so we can leave it out of the calculations.
7. The speed at which a point on the Earth’s surface moves relative to the stars
We will calculate the speeds with which the a point on the Earth’s surface moves in relation to the center of the Earth
and the center of the solar system.
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Applying equation (83) we will find the speed with which a point on the Earth’s equator moves in the west-east direction
cos(ϕ)
vxy (θp ) = ωxy r = (ωpxy (θp ) + ωq ) r = ω p + ωq r (95)
1 − sin2 (ϕ) cos2 (θp )
vxy (θp ) ≤ vxy (0) ≈ 465.21[m/sec] (96)
Π
vxy (θp ) ≥ vxy ≈ 464.99[m/sec] (97)
2
After that, applying equation (85) we will find find the maximum and minimum speed with which an arbitrary point
moves in the north-south direction
sin(ϕ)
vzx (θp ) = ωpzy (θp )r = ωp r (98)
1 − cos2 (ϕ) cos2 (θp )
vzx (θp ) ≤ vzx (0) ≈ 3.19[m] (99)
Π
vzx (θp ) ≥ vzx ≈ 0.51[m] (100)
2
Now we will find the speed with which the point A moves in relation to the heliocentric coordinate system (Q0 ) Fig
[4],Fig [5]
Op A = Op Oq + Oq A (101)
δOp A(t)
v(t) = = Ṙq (t) + ṙq (t) (102)
δt
− sin(ωp t) − sin(ωq t)
v(t) = vp
cos(ϕ) cos(ωp t) + vq cos(ωq t)
(103)
sin(ϕ) cos(ωp t) 0
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Now we will analyze how the movement of the Earth’s surface in relation to the stars affects the measurement of the
speed of light in the vicinity of the Earth. Denote by ∆t the time it takes for the signal to travel from point A to point
B and back from point B to point A.
l = AB (104)
2l
cH = (105)
∆t
Denote by t+ the time it takes for the signal to travel from point A to point B and by t− the time it takes for the
signal to travel from point B to point A. The values of t+ and t− are still unknown.
l
c+ = (106)
∆t+
l
c− = (107)
∆t−
Let’s define the constant speed c as the arithmetic mean of the c+ and the c−
c+ = c + v (108)
c− = c − v (109)
c+ + c−
c= (110)
2
Based on equation (110), it is obvious that if we want to accurately calculate the constant c, then it is necessary to
know the speeds c+ and c−
l
∆t+ = (111)
c+v
l
∆t− = (112)
c−v
l l l(c+ + c− )
∆t = ∆t+ + ∆t− = + = (113)
c+ c− c+ c−
2l
cH = (114)
∆t
2l 2c+ c− c2 − v 2 v2
cH = = = =c− (115)
∆t c+ + c− c c
When we measure cH , the speed of light in two directions, we actually measure the harmonic mean of the c+ and the
c− . Based on equation (114), it is obvious that we do not need to know the c+ nor c− in order to be able to calculate cH .
We will assume that cH is known and we will compare its value with the value of unknown constant c.
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v2
∆c = c − cH = (116)
c
Suppose we measure the two-way speed of light regarding to the heliocentric coordinate system (Q0 ) and apply Equation
(103).
It was measured that the two-way speed of light in the vicinity of the Earth is equal to cH . Since the measurement
error is less than 1 [m/sec], then taking into account the values for ∆cxy and ∆cz we can conclude that the movement
of the Earth’s surface in relation to the coordinate system (Q0 ) does not affect the measurement of the speed of light
in two direction. If we took into account the movement of the solar system in relation to the center of the galaxy, it
would mean that the vxy and vz actually would have significantly greater values.
Suppose we measure the two-way speed of light along the equator regarding to the geocentric coordinate system (Q)
and apply Equation (96).
Measuring the speed of light in one direction is not so important to get a more accurate value for the constant c, as it
is to answer the question about the constancy of the one-way speed of light regarding to the coordinate system (Q).
We proved in paper [4] that measuring the speed of light in one direction is possible by proving two things:
i) Synchronization between two clocks can be established without the assumption that the one-way speed of light must
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ii) Slow movement of the clock does not significantly affect the measurements.
i) The results are inconsistent. This means that due to the slow movement of the clocks, it would be impossi-
ble to maintain their synchronization, so measuring the speed in one direction is impossible.
ii) The speed of light is invariant regardless of the direction of measurement. This would show that the postu-
late about the constant speed of light is correct, at least in the vicinity of the Earth.
iii) The speed of light depends on the direction of measurement. That would mean that we would have to reject the
postulate about the constancy of light in all inertial frames of reference, because it is not valid in the vicinity of the Earth.
Regardless of the measurement result, we still cannot make a final conclusion. Because we don’t know what the result
would be if the experiment were done in a place where gravity is almost equal to zero.
10. Discussion
The First Postulate of Special Relativity [5], can be formulated in the following way: "The laws of physics are the
same and can be stated in their simplest form in all inertial frames of reference". Based on that, we can assume that
the result of the M ichelson˘M orley experiment would be the same no matter how we choose the inertial frame of
reference. All the "lab" experiments, which are directly or indirectly related to the speed of light, were made in the
vicinity of the Earth, where its gravitational field is much stronger compared to the solar or galactic gravitational field.
Whether the reference frame is determined by the sum of all gravitational fields acting on it? What would be the
outcome of the M ichelson˘M orley experiment if it was performed in an artificial satellite in a solar orbit far from any
planet? If there is no gravitational field, what should be taken as a reference frame? Aether (the "material" that fills
the universe)? The Second Postulate of Special Relativity [5], can be formulated in the following way: "The speed of
light in vacuum is the same in all inertial reference frames". Using M axwell0 s equations, it follows that the speed of
electromagnetic waves c in empty space is given by the following equation.
r
1
c= (129)
0 µ0
where
Are the values of 0 and µ0 invariant with respect to gravity? If the answer is negative, then the question arises
whether the speed of light that we measure in an artificially created vacuum near the Earth is equal to the speed of
light in space (aether) where gravity is (almost) equal to zero? We can only hope that in the near future we will start
conducting experiments in space far from the Earth, so that the possible influence of its gravity on the outcome of the
experiment would be nullified and in that way give a precise answer to those questions.
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References
[3] Marmet, P.
2000 The GPS and the Constant Velocity of Light
Acta Scientiarum, 22, 1269,2000.
[4] Čojanović M.
2023 Measuring the one-way speed of light
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 6, 1034-1054.
https://doi.org/10.24297/jap.v21i.9364
[5] A. Einstein
1905 On The Electrodynamics of moving bodies
https://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/einstein/specrel/specrel.pdf
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