Are we not already travelling at the speed of light?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the misconception that humans can travel at the speed of light (denoted as 'c'). Participants clarify that while light travels at a constant speed in a vacuum, humans cannot achieve this velocity or transform into the rest frame of a photon. The conversation emphasizes the importance of citing credible sources when discussing complex physics topics, as demonstrated by the reference to a blog post on Physics Forums.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly relativity
  • Familiarity with the speed of light and its significance in physics
  • Knowledge of reference frames in physics
  • Ability to cite and evaluate scientific sources
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications on speed and motion
  • Learn about the properties of light and its behavior in different mediums
  • Explore the concept of reference frames and how they relate to observers in motion
  • Investigate credible sources for scientific discussions, such as Physics Forums and peer-reviewed journals
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, students new to the subject, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of relativity and the nature of light.

ClintWalker
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
This isn't for any homework or coursework. I am new to physics and have decided to embrace my inner geek that i have been suppressing for 30 years.

Some light reading recently has pointed out to me that the speed of light is not a constant velocity we should hope to achieve but the speed at which we are already travelling.

Can someone explain this to me?
 
Science news on Phys.org
ClintWalker said:
This isn't for any homework or coursework. I am new to physics and have decided to embrace my inner geek that i have been suppressing for 30 years.

Some light reading recently has pointed out to me that the speed of light is not a constant velocity we should hope to achieve but the speed at which we are already travelling.

Can someone explain this to me?

We can't explain what you read without you citing the proper source, something we require in this forum.

https://www.physicsforums.com/blog.php?b=2703

And no, we cannot be traveling at c. We cannot transform to the rest frame of the photon.

Zz.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ZapperZ said:
We can't explain what you read without you citing the proper source, something we require in this forum.

https://www.physicsforums.com/blog.php?b=2703

And no, we cannot be traveling at c. We cannot transform to the rest frame of the photon.

Zz.

thanks. I am new in here obviously
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

High School Can Light Speed Be Increased by Straightening Its Wave Path?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
915
High School Speed of light versus wavelength
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Achieving the speed of light at the end of a whip
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
Graduate Why does the speed of light change in different media?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Graduate Speed of Light when not in a vacuum?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
High School Light Speed: Distance & Time Explained
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
10K
High School Discover the Reason Why Light Moves Slower in Water | Fermilab Video Explanation
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
High School Is Infrared Light Invisible to Humans Due to Eye Limitations?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
High School Would We See the Same Light After Traveling Back to Earth Faster Than Light?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How was the speed of light calculated before the redefinition of the meter?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K