2006-07-10 07:50:34 · 21 answers · asked by linoleumblownapart 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
EDIT: Sorry, I am going blind and crazy from staring at this screen all day. It is 186,000 miles per second. At least I had the 3.0 x 10^8 m/s correct.....
The speed of light [in a vacuum] is what it is. It doesn't matter if 190,000 or 200,000 looks better (the actual number is 186,234 I believe), that is just an irrevocable property of light. All electromagnetic radiation propagates at that same speed.
2006-07-10 07:55:06 · answer #1 · answered by craftman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I will not call you a moron like some of the others as second was probably just a brain fart. Although I do know that light travels at a constant speed through a vacuum it can decrease as a result of traveling through a medium(refraction). As for the answer to your intended question I do not know. Some people may speculate but right now we don't even know if light is a wave or a particle. We don't know if it is one place or everywhere. For example there are a experiments which suggest that light and other particle can exist in two places at once which seem to defy logic. We can measure light by measuring its effects but can't even locate the actual particle if that is what it is due to the Uncertainty Principle. I am not an expert on the subject mind you but that if what little information I gathered from my interest in quantum physics.
2006-07-10 15:37:22 · answer #2 · answered by Annonymas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because that is the speed at which space itself travels. Space consists of different networks of "hyperspace dimensions" that lay in an unseen part of the universe. Maybe this is why the speed of light is constant in space (a vacuum). The hyperspace dimensions travel throughout the universe and the light is actually a part of the universe. If the light encounters a different medium, such as air, the light will slow down because the particles that makes up light are slowed down be the medium. However, if humans could travel through a black hole, they will be able to enter one of the hyperspace dimensions because they are composed of negative energy. Also, if negative energy could be harnessed by a spaceship, then interstellar and interuniversal travel could be achieved without using black holes.
2006-07-10 16:44:06 · answer #3 · answered by Michael n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light (in a vacuum ) is not determined by the properties of light, but rather by the properties of the vacuum through which it passes. This was the famous discovery of James Clerk Maxwell who discovered the electromagnetic equations that govern light, (and all EM waves).
The two properties of the vacuum that determine the speed of light are called the vacuum permeability and permittivity. The speed of light is determined exclusively by these two properties.
The speed of light actually changes when passing through material objects, glass, etc. because the permittivity and permeability of the material is different than that of a vacuum.
2006-07-10 16:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite what someone said all light has a constant speed. It is because the complex relation between energy and mass results in a relationship defined by this speed without getting any more technical (and beyond both of us)
2006-07-10 15:05:00 · answer #5 · answered by dr_fantastic_1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is simply that speed by definition. If it were different, say 184,000 mps as you suggested, then we would simply define c (the speed of light) to be that figure. Then you would be asking why it isn't 186,000 mps. ^.^
2006-07-10 16:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by stellarfirefly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My theory is that the velocity of light is directly related to the size of the TEMPORAL QUANTA.
Temporal quanta is the theoretical minimum duration of any event.
So for a particle is travelling at the speed of light, each point in the particle has to connect and disconnect itself from each point in Space-time.
If this occurs, it would set a speed limit on all motion.
nothing could move faster than 2 times the temporal quanta for its velocity.
2006-07-10 18:03:53 · answer #7 · answered by virtualscientist01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that is the speed of light measured in a vacuum, there are absolutely NO other variables involved in speeding up or slowing down the speed of light. A vacuum is frictionless.
Jimbob: Light in a vacuum is not visible. There is only one speed of light. All other speeds are fractions of the speed of light.
2006-07-10 15:02:52 · answer #8 · answered by chris s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light-1,86,326 miles per second.
2006-07-10 15:05:15 · answer #9 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God Made It So. Who Are we To Ask.
Other Than That Noone Knows The Reason
Good Question Nonetheless.
2006-07-10 14:58:57 · answer #10 · answered by savvy s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋