Velocity of Light Emission: Lightspeed or More?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of light speed, specifically whether the speed of light emitted from a source is simply the constant speed of light or if it can be influenced by the speed of the emitter. Participants explore concepts related to special relativity and the independence of light speed from the motion of its source.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the speed of light emitted is the velocity of the emitter plus the speed of light or just the speed of light itself.
  • Another participant asserts that the speed of light is always constant (C) and independent of the emitter's speed.
  • Some participants emphasize that the speed of light is source-independent, reinforcing the idea that the emitter's speed does not affect the speed of light.
  • There are mentions of special relativity as a necessary framework to understand these concepts.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the implications of galaxies moving away at near lightspeed and seeks clarification on whether lightspeed is relative to the galaxy's own velocity.
  • Another participant explains that special relativity maintains that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers.
  • One participant proposes a personal theory suggesting that the speed of light should be viewed as zero, which is met with a reminder to discuss personal theories in a different forum.
  • A participant shares a link to additional resources in Dutch, indicating a willingness to explore further despite skepticism about the ideas presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the implications of the emitter's speed on the speed of light, with some asserting its independence while others question the interpretation. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the concepts of special and general relativity, indicating a need for further clarification on these theories. There are also references to personal theories that may not align with established scientific understanding.

Tree Penguin
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Is the top speed of light emitted by something the velocity of the light emitter + lightspeed or just lightspeed?
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
The speed of light is always C. The speed of the emitter is irrelevant.
 
speed of light is source independent

Tree Penguin said:
Is the top speed of light emitted by something the velocity of the light emitter + lightspeed or just lightspeed?
The speed of the light emitter does not add to the speed of the light itself. The speed of light is a constant independent of the speed of the source or the detector.
 
That's why we need special relativity.
 
Gonzolo said:
That's why we need special relativity.
Can yuo explain that to me (i am a physics noob)?

I read about galaxies moving away from us at near lightspeed, is the lightspeed relative to the galaxy's own velocity (as if it where stuck in one place). I guess so as i understood all movement was relative. (might that be special relativity?)

Tell me and correct me if i said anything stupid. Thanks :).
 
Special relativity states that the speed of light in vacuum is a constant "c" to any observer. So, the "lightspeed" is relative to everyone.
You'll need to learn special relativity to understand the idea :)
 
kuenmao said:
Special relativity states that the speed of light in vacuum is a constant "c" to any observer.
Notice the last 3 words. The speed of light is constant, within the perception of any given observer.

Were there differences in the rate of motion through space of light emitted from various sources, the perception of any observer would be that the light moves at the same speed as all other light, due to the compensation factor of the perception of motion through time. The speed of light is constant in space-time.
 
I think i will have to look up general relativity. For some reason something clicked inside my brain but it's still not entirely clear to me.

Thanks!
 
rudeonline said:
In my opinion the speed of light shoult be seen as zero.
You are welcome to discuss your personal theories and opinions in Theory Development, but not here in the main forums. You already have a thread going on this very topic: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=31953
 

Similar threads

Graduate Mass, Light Speed, and the Mystery of Photons Explained
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Undergrad Stimulated Emission & Emitted photon direction
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad One way speed of light
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
High School Fundamentals of Lightspeed: Questions & Answers
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Stimulated and spotaneous emission
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Is Visible Light Bremsstrahlung Observable in Transparent Mediums?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Where am I wrong in this travelling faster than light Idea I've had?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
Undergrad Why is the speed of light defined as C in our universe?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
28K
Graduate Light in a medium: do phonons store light energy?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Why is the speed of light what it is?
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
9K