2006-07-29 00:26:55 · 4 answers · asked by Jennifer 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The concepts are difficult to understand in a single paragraph. However, it helps to understand that if you shoot a bullet forward from a speeding car, the bullet will travel at the combined speeds of the gun's muzzle velocity plus the car (and there is no practical limit if you make a better rifle or car). However, light travels exactly at the "speed of light" and can not travel faster or slower. If you shine a light forward from a speeding car the light will not travel any faster. Even if the car (spaceship?) is traveling at 90% of the speed of ligh, the light beam sent forward will still travel only at the speed of light (and not at the sum of the flashlight's "muzzle" velocity plus the speed of light! Relativity deals with the fact that Newton's laws of physics work well at our common speeds realized in our travels on earth but not at traveling speeds as they approach the speed of light. Hope that helps a little.
2006-07-29 02:09:18 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You hate you job. You are in hell. I love your job and would be in heaven to have it. Everything is relative.
2006-07-29 00:30:54 · answer #2 · answered by kitty fresh & hissin' crew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have tried to understand it several times but I don't. I guess you are not alone.
2006-07-29 00:34:36 · answer #3 · answered by falexge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wikipedia has good intro articles.
2006-07-29 00:30:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋