2006-07-25 08:07:27 · 12 answers · asked by chi_twn_guy77 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Since it is impossible to go at the speed of light, it is not a sensible question.
However, if you are going at 99% of the speed of light, you will see the light go away from you at the speed of light. But someone at rest will also see that light travel at the speed of light.
2006-07-25 08:38:04 · answer #1 · answered by mathematician 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The light from the headlights still travels at the speed of light. Einstein's theory of relativity says that light always travels at the same speed. In order for this to be possible, time slows down, in this case stops, so that the speed of light is constant.
2006-07-25 16:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by Nick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of Einstein's famous thought experiments. He concluded that the speed of the headlights would remain constant in relationship to any and all frames of reference, because he posited it as the ultimate speed of the transmission of imformation.
Light is not like a wave, needing a medium of transmission. It is electromagnetic, and needs no medium. Otherwise sunlight couldn't reach us through the vacuum of space. The speed of light then becomes a very special threshhold, and while it would seem that your speeding car would cause the light to go faster, ask yourself the opposite question; do the headlight of a car standing still have a different speed than a car going backward?
Thought experiments of this sort help us get a grip on a rather complex subject.
2006-07-25 15:16:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your car can't travel the speed of light. It has mass and as any object with mass approaches the speed of light its mass increases to infinite. It also stretches to infinite. Light is massless and travels at a constant speed relative to any mass.
So, when you are travel ling at 99.999999999999999999999999% of the speed of light and turn on the headlights, the light moves away from you at the speed of light.
2006-07-25 15:20:38 · answer #4 · answered by soulrider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The light would move away from your headlights at the speed of light. The speed of light is always the same, regardless of the speed of its source. Spooky, huh?
2006-07-25 15:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You, your car, and your headlights at the speed of light, would turn into a vapor. Everthing would get real dark and then you will have seen the light.
2006-07-25 15:14:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an interesting, but technical article on relative speeds of objects traveling at near light speeds.
2006-07-25 15:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by Susie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the head light is traveling at twice the speed of light. It is kind of what happens when a fighter jet shoots its guns . the bullet is traveling the speed of the jet plus what speed it was shot out . It is like jumping off a train moving. you are moving the speed of the train when you jump and the ground is not moving
2006-07-25 15:16:06 · answer #8 · answered by zink 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The light still streams forward because the speed of light is independent of the frame of reference.
2006-07-25 15:13:47 · answer #9 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm.. and what about if you are traveling in your car at the speed of sound and you honk the horn?
2006-07-25 15:12:01 · answer #10 · answered by Sweet Dreams 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋