High School Distance Length Contraction at Light Speed

Click For Summary
Distance contraction occurs at relativistic speeds, meaning that as one approaches light speed, the distance to a destination appears shorter. However, traveling at light speed is impossible according to the laws of physics, making the question of whether the distance between two objects becomes zero unanswerable. Theoretical discussions about light speed often lead to confusion since they rely on scenarios that cannot exist in reality. Therefore, any inquiry into the effects of traveling at light speed lacks a definitive answer. The topic ultimately highlights the limitations of applying relativistic concepts to unattainable speeds.
MikeeMiracle
Messages
396
Reaction score
313
TL;DR
Distance length contraction at light speed
I know it's not possible to travel at light speed so this is just theoretical. As I understand it at relativistic speeds the distance you need to cover to travel to a destination are length contracted. If you were traveling at light speed is the distance between you and any object ever zero?
 
  • Skeptical
Likes weirdoguy
Physics news on Phys.org
MikeeMiracle said:
I know it's not possible to travel at light speed so this is just theoretical.
No, not "theoretical", "unanswerable". Since you can't travel at the speed of light, it makes no sense to ask what would happen if you could. There is no answer.

Thread closed.
 
  • Like
Likes Motore

Thread 'Am I understanding the concept of proper frame of reference?'

MOVING CLOCKS In this section, we show that clocks moving at high speeds run slowly. We construct a clock, called a light clock, using a stick of proper lenght ##L_0##, and two mirrors. The two mirrors face each other, and a pulse of light bounces back and forth betweem them. Each time the light pulse strikes one of the mirrors, say the lower mirror, the clock is said to tick. Between successive ticks the light pulse travels a distance ##2L_0## in the proper reference of frame of the clock...
View full post »

Similar threads

High School Thought Experiment: Behavior of shadow of object moving at speed c
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
916
Undergrad Perceive Length Contraction VS Terrell Penrose
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Asymmetry in Length contraction?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Could Traveling at Near-Light Speed Create Black Holes?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
High School Why does length contraction occur and how does it relate to time dilation?
  • · Replies 63 ·
3
Replies
63
Views
5K
Undergrad What causes time dilation and length contraction
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad Twin Paradox Resolution
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Undergrad Linear Accelerator Length Contraction
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about length contraction
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
6K
Undergrad Does SR Length Contraction Halve Space Travel Time?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K