Lets say: 1 metre per hour. And had a flash light that would could that, if I pointed it to person standing 2 meters away would he/she actually see the flash light as if it was switched off until the light reached them? (always in theory of course)
2006-10-19 15:01:41 · 10 answers · asked by Nostromo 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes. If the speed of light was 1 meter/hour, it would take 2 hours for light to reach the observer. They are in every sense, 2 hours in the past. They would see the flashlight as if it were off for 2 more hours. It would take 2 hours to communicate any form of information to that observer.
2006-10-19 15:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the speed of light was 1 metre per hours, your friend 2 metres away would see the light 2 hours after you switch it on. In a similar manner, the light we see from the sun is actually light that was emitted over 8 minutes ago - if the sun exploded, we wouldn't know until 8 minutes later.
2006-10-19 15:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by Wraith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that is essentially right; if light is slowed to 1 metre per hour and we point a flashlight at someone 2 meters away it would not reach he/her until two hours later.
2006-10-19 15:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by smart son of a bich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been done. And yes, the experimenters were able to watch the light propagate through the medium. Once the light left that medium, it travelled at normal speed, 300km/sec.
2006-10-19 19:01:26 · answer #4 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light entering water slows down....then speeds up after it emerges....figure THAT one out
2006-10-19 15:04:17 · answer #5 · answered by Grundoon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not. Then you could run over to him before the light gets there also.
2006-10-19 15:04:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cool. That thing about the light and water, cool also.
2006-10-19 15:11:33 · answer #7 · answered by ginarene71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do we e-mail another member? Like, if I wanted to just ask one person about his/her answer to my question.
2006-10-19 15:46:54 · answer #8 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
then traveling to another Galaxy would defiantly be on my wish list
2006-10-19 15:10:59 · answer #9 · answered by slick o 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
in theory, yes.
2006-10-20 12:07:42 · answer #10 · answered by The Big D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋