They say speed of light is the fastest velocity know to man. Now if you are ridding in the back of a train thats traveling at the speed of light and decide to walk to the front of the train, doesn't that make you faster than the speed of light? Just wondering.
2006-10-15 04:57:01 · 10 answers · asked by groser_hahn 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
No object with mass can ever exceed the speed of light in a vacuum in any frame of reference.
Further more, no object with mass can ever achieve a speed equal to that of light in a vacuum in any frame of reference.
Therefore the hypothetical train in your question has already violated this principle by traveling at the speed of light....which is not possible to accomplish in reality.
Even if the train was traveling just under the speed of light, for example 99.99999999999999999999% of the speed of light, which is theoretically obtainable, and then you decided to walk forward in the direction of the train's motion as seen from an outside observer,
you would still NOT be going faster than the speed of light, even if you measured your speed relative to the train to be on the order 99.999999999999999% of the speed of light as well.
When dealing with relativistic velocities, 99.99999999999999999999% + 99.999999999999999% does not equal a value which is greater than 100%. As seen from an outside observer, your velocity relative to them would still be below the speed of light.
To add relativistic velocities,
v = (v ' + u) / 1 + u*v ' / c^2
where v ' in your case would be the speed of the train relative to the outside observer, u would be the speed of the person relative to the train, v is the speed of the person relative to the outside observer, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum.
One must realize that there is no absolute frame of reference with which to measure speeds, all speeds are relative to some specified frame of reference...however in no frame of reference can an object achieve a speed equal to or greater than the speed of light. Also, the speed of light is constant in all frames of reference.
Understanding all of this requires a bit of knowledge of special relativity.
2006-10-15 06:11:30 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
speed of light=3*10^10cm/sec
=186000miles/sec
Your other part of question. The speed of light (in vacuum) is the maximum you can have and no increase is possible as per theory of relativity.We always talk of train/or an object travelling at speed of light.The implications are phenomenal. For example there is something called gamma= Lorentz factor=1/sqrt[1-u^2/c^2]. Please observe that as observed speed u becomes equal to c the velocity of light this factor becomes infinite. Now rest mass m will become infinite since M=m*gamma. In other words it is a situation never achievable in reality.
2006-10-15 05:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by openpsychy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, because if you shine a flashlight forward it will still be going away from you, at the speed of light.
How do you know the train is travelling the speed of light?... according to the train station? How do you know that the train station isn't travelling half the speed of light backwards?
You really don't, as there is no absolute reference point in the universe.
2006-10-15 05:06:58 · answer #3 · answered by Holden 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. For one thing, if you're travelling at the speed of light, time pretty much stops for you.
If you're travelling very near the speed of light, you can't just add speeds together anymore. That's what relativity is for. You have to use Lorentz equations to find out your changes in velocity. Wikipedia has good coverage of special relativity.
2006-10-15 05:02:42 · answer #4 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not according to Einsteinian relativity. Nothing can exceed the speed of light. Certainly your motion within the train is limited by the speed of light as well so relative to the train, you obey the same speed limit.
2006-10-15 04:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by schvan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer is yes. At that sped if yo walk you will be above the speed of light in another inertial refrence with respect to which you are moving at light speed.
Note: I the example of a jogging man his speed will be earth's speed plus the jogging speed with respct to sun
2006-10-15 05:41:58 · answer #6 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all understand that 'they' do not say it: both the theories of 'special' and 'general' relativity predict (and explain) it. The answer to your question is: no. Realativity refers to bodies moving in 'uniform motion':speed, and in fact motion, are ALWAYS relative. In other words it makes no sense to say "I am moving, you are not". We are both moving (or not) relative to each other. In physics the problem you refer to is a misunderstanding of the concept 'frame of reference'. Perhaps the best way to explain is this: you are located on planet earth which is hurtling through space at very high velocity. If you go out jogging are you moving at 8mph or 8mph plus the speed of planet earth. Answer: relative to what?
Ian
2006-10-15 05:27:56 · answer #7 · answered by ianganderson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light is which light reaches an object. It also is how fast a flashlight goes from no light, to light.
2006-10-15 05:46:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
only light can travel at light speed
2006-10-15 05:10:04 · answer #9 · answered by gasp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL...true..if you could get pass the g force...which would keep you from walking/moving..........for that fact...breathing.....lol... I'd prefer the speed of smell.....
2006-10-15 05:00:52 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋