If I am driving my car at the speed of light, and I switch on my headlights, will I be able to see where I am?

Answer 1

Well, I guess you must be made of massless particals, since they are the only thing that can travel at the speed of light. And I guess by asking "What would I see?" would suggest that you have an ability to "see" by interacting with outher light. Stated that way I think you would have good question.

Well, do to time dialation, you would travel the width of the universe with out any change in time. Basicly, you clock would stop.

That aside, you would find out that light still passes you at the speed of light. So, if your head lights shine on an object and it is reflected back , you could see it. However, the light is now different. You would find that the light has more energy a lot more energy. How much i'm not sure. In other words the light would have changed color from say visible light to powerful gamma rays.

So, your question is a good one but the answers are wierd. But I think that's what the general theory of Relativity says.

If you do the math you would find that at low speeds add just as we expect. That is, an object is traveling at v1 and is passed by an other object at V2 the the speed is simply the sum of the two.

However, as we approach the speed of light, "c" and the math becomes odd. If a photon of ligh is passed by an other the speed to an outside observer is both are traveling at "c."

This odd situation is resolved by how time is measured by the travelers. In this case, no time passes for either traveler. And now it doesn't make since to say who passes who if no time passes. Sort of like trying to divide by zero. It makes no since to common sense.

Answer 2

You cannot drive at the speed of light because for that you and your car need to be as small as an electron. Anyway headlight shows what is infront of you not where you are.

Answer 3

According to the theory of relativity, you cannot concurrently compare phenomenon that occur in different frames of reference. That's what you're trying to do, and thats why the answer seems absurd.

If you were driving at 50 mph and turned on your headlights, would the light from your headlights be traveling at c+50 ? No! Two different frames of reference.

Answer 4

If you are traveling at the speed of light (which, incidentally, would be impossible) you would not sense time at all. Thus you would not be able to switch on your headlights. If they were already on, they would not be generating any light. Your eyes would not function and your brain would not process any information.

So, the answer to your question is: no.

Answer 5

Special Theory of Relativity prevents you from attaining speed of light but you can go as close as possible to it. But lets suppose you manage to attain speed of light.

You are still in an inertial reference frame because you are travelling at constant speed. And all inertial reference frames have constant speed of light. You will not find yourself travelling along side the light that your head lights are flashing. Your perceptions of yourself, your car (which is travelling with you) and the light that it is flashing dont change. The situation is equivalent to you sitting in your car and the road and sign boards flashing by at speed of light.

So the answer is yes you will be able see your surroundings but because of Doppler effect the reflected light that you will be receiving will not in visible region (VIBGYOR wave lengths) but very high frequency radiation.

Answer 6

assuming it was possible to travel at light speed, you headlights would nto be visible becasue they would be travelling at the same speed as you so, therefore, the light would not be at standstill from your point of reference. But things around you travelling at the speed of light would also appear to be at stand still, but time for you would certainly be very slow. cos time decreases as speed increases, so it's an exceelnt anti ageing treatment:)))

Answer 7

well first of all you cannot travel at the speed of light in earth's environment and if u did u'll be breaking einstien's law and it is impossible to travel at the speed of light by ur car until it is a flying car and in space and if u still insist for lighty stuff u can use a global positioning system[if on earth]. so, schummi forget about turnin on the lights.

Answer 8

No. Because you are traveling the speed of light, your headlights will be very very dim.

Answer 9

you would not be able to travel the speed of light, and if you were no you would not be able to see where you were going

Answer 10

I think you will, since your headlights allow you to see 50ft ahead of you.