Physical Universe
2006-09-18 11:10:39 · 17 answers · asked by Sharmila 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Light (more generally, electromagnetic radiation) has no acceleration. The speed of light is constant in a vacuum.
2006-09-18 11:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by Deep Thought 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If something is traveling at a constant speed, doesn't that mean that its acceleration is 0? Therefore, the acceleration of light in this circumstance is 0.
2006-09-18 11:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by mim 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Speed of light is constant (accepted law of physics). Any constant speed is therefore not accelerating or decelerating. Therefore, the acceleration of light is zero.
All in a vaccuum in the physical universe, of course.
2006-09-18 11:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by GoEagles! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You really should read every word in your text book because this is a basic physics problem. Light (or anything) going at a constant speed automatically has no acceleration.
2006-09-18 11:11:50 · answer #4 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Light has a constant velocity in any given medium. That means, if light is travelling in air, then it will have a constant velocity. If its travelling in water, then it will have another constant velocity. Since the velocity is constant, the acceleration is 0.
2006-09-18 11:13:44 · answer #5 · answered by arunhn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light doesn't accelerate or decelerate. It just travels as a certain speed, depending on the medium it is traveling thru.
That's OK, its just a photon, which has no mass (usually).
2006-09-18 11:27:36 · answer #6 · answered by SPLATT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are traveling in a space ship just under the speed of light and kick a ball forward, did the ball exceed the speed of light?
2006-09-18 11:13:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I suppose you could say light accelerates when it's bent by gravity, but otherwise, since it's constant, there is no acceleration.
2006-09-18 11:14:01 · answer #8 · answered by kimmyisahotbabe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought it traveled at constant speed: 186,000 miles per hour.
2006-09-18 11:13:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought the speed of light was 186,000 miles per second. Are you sure your numbers are correct?
2006-09-18 11:13:24 · answer #10 · answered by rasckal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋