Can the speed of light be observed to be faster than c?

[moogull]

Homework Statement

Two parties (A and B) are signing a treaty at opposite ends of a 40.0meter table. The two parties and very suspicious so it is important for the two to sign the documents at the same time. This is arranged when the light from a light bulb at the center of the table reaches them. However, an anxious party member from one side (say A) is watching over the proceedings and is traveling in a spaceship parallel to the table from the direction of the other party (B) at a relative velocity v = 0.95c (c=3.00E8 m/s).

a. According to the party member in the space ship, which representative signs the treaty first? What is the time interval between signings by the two representatives in this frame?

b. Suppose now the spaceship is traveling at the same speed, but opposite direction. In this case, which representative signs the treaty first?

Homework Equations

Relativistic velocity addition formula?
u' = (u - v)/(1 - (uv/c²))

Or Postulates of Relativity
Speed of light c is invariant

The Attempt at a Solution

Well, my first attempt at the solution was to argue that the light reaches party B first because of the relative velocities, however according to the postulate of relativity for c, the speed of light is always c, regardless of relative velocity. So originally I had the light traveling faster than c but I don't think that is correct.

Is it possible for light to be Observed to travel faster than c if one is traveling in the opposite direction?

What I think the answer is: the light reaches the two representatives at the same time regardless of what frame is it observed in so they sign the documents at the time, is this a correct assumption?

 

[shauns87]

Well, I don't think light can travel faster than c. Even I had the same question to my professor when I was studying waveguides. There was an equation which could show some situation where light could travel faster than C. But, we all know the basic postulate of relativity.

 

[fzero]

The speed of light will never be observed to travel faster than c. To solve this problem, you need to determine the distance that light must travel from points A and B to the moving ship. This will allow you to determine the times that it took the light to travel.

 

[moogull]

Ahhhh, gotcha gotcha, solved it! thanks!

 

[paranormal]

No, it is not possible for light to be observed to travel faster than c. This is a fundamental principle of relativity and has been confirmed by numerous experiments and observations. The postulates of relativity state that the speed of light is constant and invariant, meaning it is the same for all observers regardless of their relative velocities. Therefore, in both scenarios described, the light from the center of the table will reach both parties at the same time, and they will sign the treaty simultaneously. This is true for all observers, including the party member in the spaceship traveling at 0.95c. The concept of time dilation in relativity explains why the time interval between signings may appear different to different observers, but the actual act of signing the documents will occur simultaneously for all parties involved.