How much pull does gravity have on light? Can gravity be used to speed it up? Black holes can trap light with high gravity, so slowing light down should be possible.
2007-02-09 08:23:06 · 11 answers · asked by 4-real 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The local speed of light in a vacuum is constant. Gravity can warp space and time enough to make a local constant speed appear to be different from farther away. Because of this effect, it can appear that light is moving slower than that constant speed if the observer is far away and there is a strong gravitational field. But even when this effect is taken into account, no observer will see light going faster than that constant speed. Even with a black hole, a local observer will see light going the usual speed. It is only a distant observer that sees it going slower.
Finally, light can be slowed significantly (or even stopped) when it interacts with matter. It is only the local vacuum speed of light that is fixed.
2007-02-09 09:09:57 · answer #1 · answered by mathematician 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totally constant; speed of light in a vacuum is unchanging.
What the black holes does is not slow the light , but just curve it so that is stays in "orbit". Or viewed another way, the space is stretched; light still travels at the same speed, but has more distance to cover.
Slowing light is done by having it go though a medium, but that can be assimilated to have the light travel at "c", then be absorbed by an atom, and be re-emitted after a short delay.
So, in the end, "c" speed of light in a vacuum is an unchangeable constant value.
2007-02-09 08:31:05 · answer #2 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Slowing light down is possible, but not in the way you are thinking about. Gravity does not affect the speed of light. A Black Hole traps light because of the massive distortion in space-time that it creates.
Light does slow when it passes through certain mediums, such as water or glass. In a vacuum, the speed is approximately 186,262 mps. As it passes through matter, this slows down the photons negligible.
2007-02-09 08:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
light can be slowed down without black holes. put half of your arm in water and it will look broken because the light gets bent in the water because light moves slower through different mediums. as for speeding it up, light moves at a constant speed through a vacuum and i dont think even a black hole can speed it up, although it can trap it. its like if u throw something out of a moving car, the object will have velocity equal to how hard u threw it plus how fast the car is moving, but if u shine a flashlight out of a car it moves at the same speed as if u were still - the car speed does not get added to it...light is weird in that way
2007-02-09 08:31:46 · answer #4 · answered by dustin k 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
> How constant is the speed of light?
Various materials will give you a different speed of light.
You're probably referring to "speed of light in a vacuum." We think it is a constant.
> How much pull does gravity have on light?
Some
> Can gravity be used to speed it up?
Not faster than the speed of light in a vacuum though! Mostly, rays of light get bent.
2007-02-09 08:41:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the nature of light it is not affected by gravity. Black holes don't slow light but rather time, thus even travelling really fast, light can't excape them. The speed pf light is so constant that it is independent of the relative speed of involved reference points.
2007-02-09 08:31:32 · answer #6 · answered by Drol Cid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light is absolutely constant to the accuracy of our best measurements (many significant figures).
Gravity effects light, but the best way to think of it is to think that a straight line is defined as the path that light takes. In GR, energy bends light in its vicinity, which we therefore interpreted as warping space and time.
2007-02-09 08:29:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity can bend light's path but does not increase its speed. The speed of light is absolute.
2007-02-09 08:31:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I comprehend your question wisely, the respond is very straightforward. the fee of light consistent (~3.00*10^8 m/s) purely applies in loose area (a vacuum). Atmospheres and different factors sluggish it fairly. it rather is the utmost velocity of light, or the different rely or potential, because of the fact it potential that the situation/potential is vacationing one Planck length each and every Planck time. the only situation familiar to shuttle quicker than it rather is quantum information via quantum entanglement, yet this could be by way of extra measurement(s). Sorry if it rather is not what you have been asking. with a bit of luck it helps.
2016-11-03 00:20:01 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to slow down light, by passing it through very dense liquids. Someone not too long ago passed a beam of light through very cold sodium, reducing the light's speed to somewhere in the 30 MPH range.
Lene Lau is her name, if I recall correctly.
2007-02-09 08:33:49 · answer #10 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋