Einstein and his theory of light speed

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of traveling faster than the speed of light and the limitations that prevent this. It is theorized that if one were to go faster than the speed of light, the light around them would become paralyzed. However, this scenario is not possible due to the fact that it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate a massive object to c. Additionally, the laws of special relativity state that a massive particle cannot simply start out at v>c. The topic is discussed in a technical manner and it is suggested to study physics in more depth to fully understand the concepts.
  • #1
kimster
3
0
Einstein theorized that if you were to go the speed of light or even faster then the light around you would become paralyzed. But if you're going that fast then the light wouldn't be able to catch up to you, so technically wouldn't the light around you would become black because the light cannot catch up to you.
 
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  • #2
No massive object can travel at any speed equal or greater than the speed of light.
 
  • #3
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast? space has no friction or air friction to prevent an object form exceeding that speed
 
  • #4
kimster said:
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast?
There are a couple of things. The first is that it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate a massive object to c. So that prevents an object from reaching c from any v<c. This has been verified in particle accelerators on a daily basis. No matter how much energy we pump into a particle it still remains at some v<c.

The second is a little more technical, but explains why a massive particle cannot simply start out at v>c. A massive particle has a timelike four-momentum by definition, and a timelike four-momentum implies a timelike four-velocity. All timelike four-velocities correspond to v<c.
 
  • #5
MODERATOR'S NOTE:

Several posts in this thread have been deleted. Please keep the discussion factual, courteous, and helpful.
 
  • #7
kimster said:
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast? space has no friction or air friction to prevent an object form exceeding that speed
This is wronger than just as pertains to special relativity: friction has nothing to do with anything. It is mass (inertia) that resists acceleration via f=ma.
 

What is Einstein's theory of light speed?

Einstein's theory of light speed, also known as the theory of special relativity, is a scientific theory that explains the relationship between space and time. It states that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, and the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion.

How did Einstein come up with his theory of light speed?

Einstein developed his theory of light speed through a series of thought experiments and observations. He was inspired by the work of James Clerk Maxwell, who showed that the speed of light was constant and independent of the observer's motion. Einstein then proposed that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers in uniform motion, leading to the theory of special relativity.

What is the significance of Einstein's theory of light speed?

Einstein's theory of light speed revolutionized our understanding of space and time and laid the foundation for modern physics. It also paved the way for the development of technologies such as GPS and particle accelerators. The theory has been extensively tested and has been confirmed to be accurate in countless experiments.

Does Einstein's theory of light speed have any limitations?

Like any scientific theory, Einstein's theory of light speed has its limitations. It does not apply to objects that are accelerating or experiencing significant gravitational forces. It also does not explain certain phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy. However, it has been the basis for further research and has been incredibly successful in explaining many physical phenomena.

What impact did Einstein's theory of light speed have on the scientific community?

Einstein's theory of light speed had a massive impact on the scientific community. It challenged long-held beliefs about the nature of space and time and sparked a new era of scientific exploration. It also influenced the development of other theories, such as the theory of general relativity, and continues to be a fundamental concept in modern physics.

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