- #1
Vectus
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I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but here goes:
I have a question that's been plaguing me for a while. I understand why it is pointless to think in terms of a photon's rest frame, as it is either impossible or meaningless to define said frame. I also understand why the speed of light should be finite and constant, given the permittivity and permeability of free space, and the aspects of relativity that state it should be constant in every frame of reference.
However, I cannot think intuitively to reconcile these bits of knowledge. How is it that to us, a photon takes some finite amount of time to travel any given distance, but the photon does not experience time, and is emitted and absorbed at the same instant?
I have a question that's been plaguing me for a while. I understand why it is pointless to think in terms of a photon's rest frame, as it is either impossible or meaningless to define said frame. I also understand why the speed of light should be finite and constant, given the permittivity and permeability of free space, and the aspects of relativity that state it should be constant in every frame of reference.
However, I cannot think intuitively to reconcile these bits of knowledge. How is it that to us, a photon takes some finite amount of time to travel any given distance, but the photon does not experience time, and is emitted and absorbed at the same instant?