Basic question about the nature of light and time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of light and time, particularly whether a high-speed camera could capture the progression of light and if it could be perceived as slowed down by an observer. The conversation explores theoretical implications of light speed and human perception in relation to time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that a high-speed camera could theoretically record the progression of light, specifically its reflection off surfaces, and questions if this could allow for a slowed perception of light.
  • Another participant asserts that the shutter of the camera cannot exceed the speed of light, implying limitations on capturing light's progression.
  • A different participant acknowledges the impossibility of stopping light but expresses interest in seeing it slow down in recordings.
  • One participant outright denies the possibility of recording light's progression, suggesting that what a camera records may not be light itself.
  • A later post reflects on the relationship between subjective time perception and measured velocity, noting that even if time feels slower, the measured speed of light remains constant.
  • Another participant mentions that slow light phenomena are due to absorption and re-emission in certain materials, which may not directly relate to the original question about recording light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of recording light's progression and the implications of perception on the speed of light. There is no consensus on whether a high-speed camera could capture light in a way that alters its perceived speed.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about the capabilities of high-speed cameras and the nature of light itself, as well as the dependence on subjective perception of time versus objective measurements.

ZirkMan
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Imagine you have a high-speed camera with a capability to record almost near infinite frames per second. Would you be in principle able to record progression of light (I know that light itself is invisible so at least its reflected progression let's say off a room's walls after a light bulb has been lit).

If yes. I would like to know if it is possible to see its progression to be slowed down even for an observer who would have the mental capacity to process that many frames per second of information that would allow him to react to its progression? Wouldn't this violate the law that "all observers see the light moving with the same speed"?
The deeper question behind therefore is if the speed of light is also not depended on our mental capacity of how quickly we can process our input information? With speeds of regular objects this seems to be the case where with the higher frequency of input information processing the time seems to slow down and we are able to see objects moving slower or at least react on them as if they effectively were.
 
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The shutter of the camera can't move faster than the speed of light even in principle ;).
 
Eynstone said:
The shutter of the camera can't move faster than the speed of light even in principle ;).
That's OK. I don't want to see the light stop, just to see it slow down a bit on the recording.
 
ZirkMan said:
Imagine you have a high-speed camera with a capability to record almost near infinite frames per second. Would you be in principle able to record progression of light (I know that light itself is invisible so at least its reflected progression let's say off a room's walls after a light bulb has been lit).
No.

Think about it: what if not light itself does a camera record?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_light" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Silly me. I didn't realize that velocity V=(Δd)/(Δt) so even when you make time run subjectively slower a second will remain a second even when it will last subjectively longer. Therefore the measured velocity will be the same for both types of consciousness.

Btw, the slow light would't help much because as far as I know its slower group speed is caused by its absorption and consequent re-emission as this is the way light moves in those materials.
 

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