We know that light travels in straight lines (gravity and electromagnetic influences excepted). But what makes it travel straight?
Let me expound. A solid mass will (as answered in my previous question) travel in a straight line because the force applied to it pushed it in that direction with reference to the Force vector (direction of force) and in the main will carry on with that direction until the force is expended or a secondary force of some kind alters the resultant vector. We also know that the force and the direction of the force are relative. BUT a photon doesn't seem to follow the same rules as a solid mass. E.g. when the photon has finished it journey, the mass is lost. The speed of a photon is reportedly fixed at C = 1, whereas the speed of a solid mass can be varied in accordance to the force applied to it. Also a solid mass will move within a media (air etc.) a photon doesn't. Photons are released without force vector. How do they know which direction is the shortest?
2006-06-17 23:50:58 · 12 answers · asked by jonstarjon 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The property of light is that it takes the shortest route possible between 2 pts. IT IS A WRONG IDEA THAT THIS PATH IS A STR LINE. A str line is the shortest dist in Eucidean Goem, the geom of the Universe is NOT EUCLIDEAN IN NATURE. As for your other ideas, I pt out that a photon never stops travelling unless it gives up its energy. DO NOT USE NEWTON'S LAWS ON THE PROPAGATION OF LIGHT. THE PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IS EXPLAINED BY 2 THEORIES-
MAXWELLS THEORY OF ELECTROMAGNETISM, speaking of the WAVE ASPECTS
EISTEIN'S GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY, speaking of the particle nature. GO through these when you r of the proper age to do so, let me warn you that studying the true nature of light requires a huge pre-knowledge of physics and it is very difficult and controversial.
2006-06-18 00:11:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A mass acted on by a force will also behave in a way determined by the principle of least action. It is certainly not the case that it will automatically go in a straight line. For instance, the Earth is acted on by the force of the Sun, but the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical orbit - it certainly does not fall in a straight line towards the Sun in the direction of the force.
Photons can certainly move with media (as long as they are insulators) or it would be awefully dark.
2006-06-18 00:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by Epidavros 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light passing through water is refracted and not bent. Light does not travel in straight lines in the vicinity of large mass objects such as stars and black holes.Feyman gives an example of muliple histories to explain why photons "Know" which is the shortest path, they describe every possibility but the resultant shortest path is the majority of these possibilities.
2006-06-18 20:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mirror reflections and snapshots are sharp, life-like and vivd which is only possible if the light reflected from them isn't being scattered. If the light rays maintain the same relationship as they had when they were reflected off of whatever is being imaged, the image will be sharp like the shadows that you mentioned. Mirror images and snapshots acan be crystal clear. The direct appearance of an object is an accurate image of that object whenever its light is permitted to go straight. The absence of mirages and shimmering is proof of the straight path that light takes in a still, clear medium without heat currents or other atmospheric affects to distort its path.
2016-05-20 00:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it has no mass, you answered this in your first statement. Though lights path can be altered by reflesting off or through objects rain, glass, clouds, mirrors, you know this, you seem smart. Photons do not know the shortest distance therefore are not regulated by this. This is the reason light can pass straight through space only being altered by objects and black holes.
2006-06-17 23:56:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because as in all nature light takes the shortest distance it can. Nature nearly always takes the easiest route possible.
2006-06-17 23:57:47 · answer #6 · answered by mickyrisk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LIGHT DOESN'T travel in a complete straight line!!! It is like a wave, but it's fequency is so much and wavelenght so small that it is assumed to be travelling in a straight line
2006-06-21 18:15:52 · answer #7 · answered by Dhruv Kapur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The theory is old.Now there is wave theory of light
2006-06-21 00:31:12 · answer #8 · answered by leowin1948 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't, it travels with a slight curve, dont believe me? read any physics book or ask any of your tutors.
2006-06-19 23:22:54 · answer #9 · answered by JARLAB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because it is a wave also?
2006-06-18 02:19:28 · answer #10 · answered by Rox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋