If you catch up with light...do you see it?
2007-01-17 10:19:27 · 4 answers · asked by Stef 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Good question.
At any uniform velocity approaching the speed of light, nothing you experience will change as compared to when you are at rest.
This phenomenon can be illustrated at a much, much lower velocity inside of an airplane traveling at a steady 600 MPH. Any experiments you care to do inside the plane will give you the same results as you would get on the ground.
Note: This is a very difficult concept to visualize, but the speed of light is exactly the same for any observer - regardless of their motion. This is due to the slowing of time and the shortening of distances at speeds which are a significant percentage of the speed of light. It is this type of discovery that required Einstein's genius to prove that this is the reality of how the universe really works. Compared to our experiences on the earth's surface, this is anything but intuitive thinking!
2007-01-17 10:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you travel exactly at the speed of light, you will experience no time, so I guess that would qualify as dark. If you're going very near the speed of light relative to the rest of the universe, the stars behind you would appear to turn red, while the stars ahead would turn blue (due to the dopler effect). Also, the universe would appear to compress in the direction of travel. Light would still appear to be going at normal speed relative to you, because in actuality time is going at a slower rate.
2007-01-17 19:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) You are not traveling at the speed of light because that is impossible.
2) If you are traveling at ALMOST the speed of light (which is possible) you will measure the speed of light at exactly the same speed as if you were at rest, due to relativistic effects like length contraction and time dilation. YOU WILL NOT NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT AT ALL.
2007-01-17 18:29:35 · answer #3 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From einstein's theory of relativity it would be impossible under normal circumstances to travel at the speed of light. Physics as we know from our daily life undergoes a massive change as we approach the speed of light. The question of seeing something with us traveling at the the speed of light does not arise.
2007-01-17 18:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋