Is Light's Terminal Velocity 300,000 km/s?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of light's speed, specifically questioning whether the constant speed of light at 300,000 km/s could be interpreted as a terminal velocity influenced by gravitational forces and other factors, such as Cosmic Background Radiation. The scope includes theoretical considerations and conceptual clarifications regarding the nature of light and its behavior in gravitational fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that light's speed could be seen as a terminal velocity, suggesting that gravitational forces and Cosmic Background Radiation might limit its acceleration.
  • Another participant questions the premise, stating that light does not gain speed in a gravitational field but rather maintains a constant speed relative to all observers.
  • A participant points out that Cosmic Background Radiation is a form of light, implying a connection between the two concepts.
  • Another response asserts that the idea of light having a terminal velocity contradicts established theories, specifically mentioning special relativity and Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, which dictate that light must always travel at speed c.
  • One participant argues that if light could have a terminal velocity influenced by gravity, it would exhibit different speeds depending on its direction relative to the Earth's surface, which is not observed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of light's speed and the applicability of concepts like terminal velocity to light. There is no consensus on the initial proposal, and multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of gravitational effects on light's speed.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on interpretations of gravitational effects on light and the assumptions underlying the theories of relativity and electromagnetism. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

questionauthority
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Hi,

I have a theory about light: could our observations of light always traveling at 300 000 km/s be explained as the terminal velocity of light? When an object falls through the atmosphere it will eventually stop accelerating because the pressure of the atmosphere equals the pull of gravity. What if light is being pulled to the speed of 300 000 km/s by the gravity of the Earth and a substance, perhaps the Cosmic Background Radiation, keeps it from accelerating past that?

Thoughts?

questionauthority
 
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I'm not sure what you're asking. Is it "can light be accelerated?" Well, technically no. But it does gain momentum when falling into a gravity well, like the Earth's gravitational field. You see light always moves at the same speed to all observers.
 
Isn't the CBR... a form of light?
 
questionauthority said:
could our observations of light always traveling at 300 000 km/s be explained as the terminal velocity of light?
No. As others have pointed out, concepts of acceleration and light do not mix. Our observation that light always travels at a set rate has been explained by the special theory of relativity.

It is also important to note that the experiments showing light travels at a set rate were preceeded by Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism. According to Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism and the principle of relativity, light must always travel at c. I think it was Brian Greene who said, "No one has ever held a lump of light in their hands," clarifying the notion that light *must* travel at c to exist (this is explained by both Maxwell's theory and quantum mechanics and goes hand-in-hand with Einstein's special theory of relativity).
 
Last edited:
If you were right, then light would travel at different speeds perpendicular to the Earth's surface than parallel to it. And it doesn't.
 
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