2007-01-07 12:49:53 · 8 answers · asked by dc 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
At the speed of light, there is no time. So, you would not be able to turn on your headlights. Also, there is no dimension of space in your direction of travel. Thus there is no space for your headlights to shine into.
2007-01-07 15:00:10 · answer #1 · answered by NotEasilyFooled 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"what happens if you travel at the speed of light and turn on your headlights. just say you can go that fast?"
OK, I'll just say you can go that fast.
For the record, at the speed of light, time slows to a stop - you would not be able to turn your headlamps on because that would take a certain amount of time, and you wouldn't have any time.
If we discount this phenomenon too, your headlamps will work just fine - to you and all other observers. This is not an intuitive idea - but it is the reality.
If you could compare your clock to another reference that was "at rest" relative to you, you would consider that it was his clock that was running slow - and the other observer would legitimately say the same thing about your clock!
2007-01-07 21:15:25 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The speed of light is the same in all inertial reference frames.
Even though your car is moving at the speed of light, sitting in your car is like sitting in a rest frame. Thus, your perception of turning on the lights will be the same as if your were at rest, so you will see a light beam ahead.
However, an observer on the side of the road will see that your lights are on, but will not see the light form a beam in front of the car, since the car and beam are travelling at the same speed.
2007-01-07 21:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by vejjev 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To answer the question you have to consider two viewpoints, yours and a "stationary" observer out somewhere ahead of you. Or behind you.
The principle is: Light travels the same speed, c, to all observers.
So, you are moving at almost c and you turn your light on, the light leaves your car at c.
To an observer down the road ahead of you the light is approaching him at c, but it is extreamly blue shifted (shorter wavelength).
The kinetic energy added to the lightbeam by your motion results in a higher energy lightbeam which manifests itself as a blue shifted light.
For an observer behind you, (you moving away) your light is red-shifted. If you are going at almost c, then it would be red-shifted all the way down to almost black, thus having very little energy.
2007-01-07 21:08:42 · answer #4 · answered by Radzewicz 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would be travelling at the same speed as your headlights and still not be able to see anything in front of you.
2007-01-07 20:53:33 · answer #5 · answered by Allison 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If everything was upside down, and we all lived on Mars, what would you do for a living?
As with the above hypothetical, you haven't provided enough information to answer your question. "Just say" isn't enough. Since an object with mass going the speed of light violates the laws of physics, you'll need to specify what alternative laws of physics you'd like to take their place before the question can be answered.
2007-01-07 22:14:33 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The light wouln't leave the lamp!
2007-01-07 20:53:56 · answer #7 · answered by Stuka 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The light cannot shine ahead of you.
2007-01-07 20:54:01 · answer #8 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋