2006-06-15 21:15:54 · 18 answers · asked by nikkelbubble 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
OK!! Ignore the people who are saying that nothing physical can travel at the speed of light. Light is physical and does actually travel at the speed of light!!
Onto your hypothetical train. If the train is travelling at the speed of light and you try to run from one end to the other, logic dictates that you'd be travelling faster than light, but this time logic fails us.
It is impossible, according to einstein to travel faster than light. But, according to einstein, it is possible to run from one end of the train to the other!! This is done because they would be in the same place! This is due to a part of the Theory of relativity call Lorentz contraction!
According to you, the train would be the same length as it would be if stationary, and you would feel like you were running as if it were stationary. But relative to the observer that is 'stationary' (actualy no such thing according to einstein) you would be at both ends of the train at the same time because you and the train would be zero. The formula for lorentz contraction is L=L(0) x (square root of(1-(v/c)^2)). Where L is the length of the train according to an observer, L(0) is the length of the stationary train, v is the speed of the train, c is the speed of light.
If you make v=c then you'll see that the train and you have absolutely no length.
2006-06-16 00:16:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
As per Einstein’s theory, no train can go with the speed of light.
However for theoretical purpose, we shall assume the train moves with the speed of light ‘C’
The passenger in the train moves from back to front with a speed say ‘U’
Before the theory of relativity one at rest would calculate the relative speed of the passenger as C + U.
But according to theory of relativity, the formula to calculate this speed is
C + U / (1+ UC/ CC) = C + U/ (1 + U/C) = {(C + U) / (C + U} x C = C.
Thus the speed is again C.
This shows that any object cannot exceed the speed of light.
Even if the passenger moves with speed of light inside the train, the observer at rest
will calculate the speed as C. Since 2C/ 2 = C.
2006-06-15 22:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No physical thing (train) can travel at the speed of light, much less faster than the speed of light. For one thing, it would require more energy source and mass on board than it's propulsion system could overcome. But for the sake of argument, let's say the mass of the fuel needed is not a problem. As you approach the speed of light, time slows down and once you reach the speed of light, time reverses direction (Einstein's Theory of Relativity). Therefore, the train hasn't even left yet. Actually, what you have just proposed is a time machine but it can only go back in time, not forward.
2006-06-15 21:45:46 · answer #3 · answered by wefields@swbell.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Einstein, nothing can reach the speed of light. The reason he gives, is that as matter goes faster, it gains mass. By the time any piece of matter reaches the speed of light, it has gained so much mass that no force could move it. So the train you're on could never reach the speed of light let alone you run to the front.
2006-06-15 21:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by kingsroadbass@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You forget the theory of relativity. Since you and the train are moving at the speed of light, you, relative to the train, aren't moving at all. So you can run to the front of the train at whatever speed you can muster and it would be nowhere close to the speed of light.
2006-06-15 21:20:08 · answer #5 · answered by Amsk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok you are in train
Train is travelling at speed of light.
Everything fine there (assuming somehow you and train are indeed travelling at speed of light)
Now for a observer positioned outside the train ,You your train all are contracted to a point of zero length.That is you and train all have zero length.So as he sees it you don't have any place to run .So where'd you run ?
Also to the observer outside your train and you seems to have infinite amount of mass.Now that's not possible but let us assume somehow you made it possibel.So a zero length infinite mass and suddenly I find conventional physics has no answer.
For more discussion on you can study physics of tachyons.
2006-06-15 21:46:34 · answer #6 · answered by santosh k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that depends on your frame of reference. Relative to the train, you'd be going faster, but relative to a stationary observer outside the train... well you'd just be going too fast for them to keep track ;-) It would take an infinite amount of energy to accelerate you and the train to the speed of light in the first place
2006-06-15 21:36:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all trains cant go the speed of light and second you wouldnt be able to move because the g's would be 1000+ and you would die a horrible painful death. and thirdly nothing goes faster than the speed of light
2006-06-15 21:36:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because it means you are overcoming the momentum of the train. If it is going faster than you, you would be pushed to the back of the train, right? So if you are overcoming that and going to the front, then you are overcoming that and you are going faster than the train.
2006-06-15 21:18:26 · answer #9 · answered by Tiffany C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going faster RELATIVE to the ground. so yes and are going faster RELATIVE to the train . so yes
(if you mean your in the train going from back to front of the train)
2006-06-15 21:18:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋