Would the rays of light bend, or would the flashlight fail to illuminate?
2006-08-15 04:03:33 · 18 answers · asked by dirtyriverdog 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The exact same thing that would happen if you were in a car travelling at the speed of light and you turned on the headlights (which was the last incarnation of this question)
Doug
2006-08-15 05:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think because the flashlight is traveling too, it would illuminate, but you could see the light stop, also light will travel at its speed in many directions, and you can only travel in one of those directions, so perhaps there would be a hallow cone of light that would emit from the flashlight. Let me know when you find out. lol
2006-08-15 11:12:39 · answer #2 · answered by Robsthings 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For objects travelling at the speed of light, time does not exist in our sense of the word. The theory of relativity says that for an object at the speed of light space becomes infinitely small, and therefore the travelling time is zero.
Turning a flashlight on presupposes a change during the trip, and therefore a non-zero travelling time.
2006-08-15 11:50:01 · answer #3 · answered by dutch_prof 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't be traveling at the speed of light, but let's say you're traveling at close to the speed of light. When you turn the flashlight on, the light would appear to you to be traveling at the speed of light, as it would appear to everyone else. The speed of light is constant, no matter how fast you're moving. if it were a light bulb, the light would appear to you to travel away from you in all directions at the same speed.
To someone standing on the side, you would be closer to one side of the "light sphere" than the other, due to your moving at near the speed of light.
Addendum: Don't listen to these people who say that the light from the flashlight would be moving at twice the speed of light. While it works for newtonian physics (like throwing a ball from a speeding train adds to the overall speed of the ball), it works differently in relativity. The speed of light is always the same. Always.
2006-08-15 11:09:14 · answer #4 · answered by 006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would just illuminate. Lets say though that you did not take the light with you and you turned it on as you went to fantasy world and hopped on the Disney world ride "lets travel at the speed of light." I believe that you would be traveling with the light. It would be like a race and you would see the light traveling right along side you. I believe Disney is in the process of making this ride and it should be ready by the summer of 56403.
2006-08-15 13:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by Taylor G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither, THe light would illumintate as usual.
The flashlight and you are in motion. so if you were traveling at the speed of light and turne the flashlight on the light FROM the flashlight would then be traveing at TWICE the speed of light.
At this moment the earth is spinning at lets say for the purpose of discussion. 1000 miles an hour. If you are traveling in the same direction at 60 miles and hour in your car, you are really moving at 1060 ,miles per hour, if you are going the opposite direction of the earth you are really moving at 940 miles per hour.
2006-08-15 11:11:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend if the flashlight was also traveling at the speed of light. If it was, there would be bending of light to a degree, but only by outside observers, to you it would appear normal. You would also appear significantly smaller to an outside observer witnessing you going the speed of light.
2006-08-15 11:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Dunc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're with the flashlight, then nothing weird happens; with reference to the flashlight, you're not moving anywhere and neither is it. So you see the light normally.
If the flashlight is not with you (say a friend has it), but behind you pointing at you, you wouldn't see light. If in front of you pointing at you, then you'll probably see God.
2006-08-15 11:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by Krzysztof_98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easy. It's impossible to turn on a flash light while moving at the speed of light. As I understand it the faster you move an object, the more it's mass increases. Say for example you are moving at 98% speed of light...the mass of the object is pretty high at this point and is approaching infinite mass. Well to push infinite mass you need infinite energy and since infinite energy isn't possible you can never reach infinite mass. Hope that helps!
2006-08-15 11:26:07 · answer #9 · answered by u know who 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First - it would be impossible for you to travel at the speed of light (in any form close to what you are now)
Second - time would have to approach zero as your speed approached the speed of light.
Third - Since time is approaching zero (imperceptible by you) the flashlight would act the same as it always does.
2006-08-15 11:25:24 · answer #10 · answered by kpizura 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋