Person is running neck to neck with light and holding mirror in his hand.
2007-03-08 23:57:21 · 15 answers · asked by Piyush 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Although, the speed of light cannot be reached by anything with a mass, as per the theory of relativity, let us, for argument's sake, say you can reach the speed of light.
Will you see yourself in the mirror you are carrying?
Yes.
Why?
Because time is not a fixed parameter (that is why the theory is called the "theory of relativity"). Time is affected by movement. Thus, as you approached the speed of light, you would still see light moving away from you at 300,000 kilometers per second.
Impossible?
No.
You just have to let go of the misconception that time is fixed and the same for everyone. As you approach the speed of light,"your" time slows down. The effect of this is that, to you, light is still moving away from you at 300,000 kilometers per second, while to a bystander, it would seem that light is moving away from you at a slower pace.
Thus, if you carry the mirror, light would still move away from you at 300,000 kilometers per second.
2007-03-09 00:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by MSDC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will see exactly the same thing as if you and your mirror were stationary and the light source is receeding behind you at the speed of light. But the stationary light source will be red-shifted, just as the light from galaxies at the edge of our universe, to the point that its wavelength has drop below the bandwidth of vision and down into the radio frequencies, so no, you won't see your face in the mirror if the receeding light source is your only light source, but not for the reason you're considering. You can't "run neck to neck" with a light wave. In fact, you can't do anything to alter the result of any measurement of the speed of light because it is constant for all observers
Is cool?
2007-03-09 01:38:52 · answer #2 · answered by Gary H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In principle yes, because relativistic formula for relative velocity of light with respect to you or the mirror will be c only. But if a mirror does travel with velocity of light it will disintegrate as its constituents are held together by electromagnetic forces which are mediated through exchange of photons travelling with speed of light. It is like a motion of a structure with springs moving with velocity equal to the velocity of mechanical waves generated in each of the spring!
2007-03-09 00:24:31 · answer #3 · answered by Let'slearntothink 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. He will Not.
Hey letslearntothink if light bounced of the front of you. wouldnt it wavelenght shift. And thus it would not be visible light entering your eyes, but electromagnetic radiation of double the fequency of light. I think that may be a form of radiation.
Hey MSDC and AP, are you guys saying that light can touch the back of you relative to the direction you are travelling?
Also are you saying that light that bouces from an object at light speed, will bounce off with @ 2xlight speed, i am not so sure, when sound hits a moving object it changes the fequency not the speed of the wave,
Which brings another question, what would the equivalent of a snic boom be with light, my guess, catastophic. No actually i havent a clue
2007-03-09 00:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meaningless question, because it is impossible to travel at the speed of light, due to mass increase. It is true that no mater how close to the speed of light you are moving, you will always perceive light to be moving 186,000 miles per second faster than you because of time dilation.
2007-03-09 00:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would someone traveling the speed of light be able to see anything?
2007-03-09 00:00:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all light travels 300 million meters per second in reference frame of any given object. so if you are standing still light is traveling @ 300 million miles per second in your reference. however even if you are traveling at speed of light which is pretty much impossible but light will still travel 300 million miles per second in your reference frame, so yes you will still be able to see your self in the mirror.light has a constant speed in a fixed reference.
as of right now we believe that the speed of light is impossible to achieve, although scientist have been able to fly electrons in fields very close to the speed of light. but not yet at the speed of light. ie 0.9999*speed of light but not 1*speed of light. thanks for reading.
2007-03-09 00:38:31 · answer #7 · answered by A P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on account that C is a persevering with against diverse frames of reference, whether you have been to shuttle previous the fee of light to an observer, the fee of light could proceed to be consistent for you, then easy in yor reference could nonetheless be traveling to the replicate and your eye because it frequently does.
2016-11-23 17:03:51 · answer #8 · answered by ecker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not possible to reach the speed of light, so this question does not have an answer.
2007-03-09 00:00:15 · answer #9 · answered by Gnomon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
of course, silly!!!! if you're holding the mirror then it's travelling with you.
God bless,
gabe
2007-03-09 01:29:22 · answer #10 · answered by gabegm1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋