2006-06-07 11:52:23 · 20 answers · asked by wacko jacko 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The speed of light - it can't go any faster!
There will be a distortion however, called blue shift.
The perceived (by a stationary observer) frequency of the light would increase, and the wavelength would decrease, so that the velocity is constant v=fλ
The distortion would be infinitesimal 30 parts in 186000*60*60.
Sound would experience a similar distortion, so that if a vehicle sounds its horn as it drives past, there is a perceived frequency change in the sound. This is called the Doppler Effect - there is a link at the bottom of the blue shift link... (see also red shift)
2006-06-07 12:15:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Light can travel as slow at 24mph thru molten sodium. The light from the headlight will travel at the speed of light +30mph, negligable really. But the doppler effect (red/blue shift) is used for determining whether things are approaching of going away so in theory it could be measured and the direction of travel calculated.
2006-06-07 12:16:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the heavy part. From the point of view of the car, the light is travelling at the speed of light From the point of view of the people by the road, the light is still travelling at the speed of light. No matter how you look at it, it's travelling at the exact same speed it would be from a parked car.
2006-06-07 12:00:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything is relative my friend.
The car is travelling 30mph relative to the ground, not to the beam of light.
So the light is travelling at the speed of light. Which according to popular belief is constant and Approx 300 million m/s in a vacuum.
2006-06-07 23:17:43 · answer #4 · answered by sprite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light plus 30mph?
2006-06-07 12:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Ally 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are traveling with 30 mph; another man travels with 45mph in opposite direction; still another man travels with 60mph in a different direction. I am standing and watching all.
If we measure the speed of light all will say that the speed of light is 3x10^8m/s.
The individuals speed does not add or subtract to the velocity of light.
This is the findings after many accurate measurement of light's speed.
This is the basis of Einstein's theory of relativity.
It is the reason that we say when a body moves with certain speed its length and time decrease.
2006-06-07 15:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need to read up on Einstein's theory of Special Relativity. Nothing, i repeat NOTHING can travel faster than the speed of light. To make anything travel faster than the speed of light would require an infinite amount of energy.
2006-06-07 12:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by Grant H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the light is travelling at the speed of light but also if you are referring to the speed at which the way ahead is being illuminated then speed of light by 30mph
2006-06-07 11:58:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light, of course. Read up on Relativity:
2006-06-07 11:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by mattsdx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light has a maximum speed which it cannot exceed, it can however go slower through some materials suchas ice, water,etc.
but the difference is negligible.
in your case the light is at it's maximum speed and the speed of your car does not affect this
2006-06-07 12:10:20 · answer #10 · answered by dirtysteve_99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋