This discussion centers on the paradox of time dilation at the speed of light (v=c) and the implications for inertial reference frames (IRFs). It establishes that time dilation is not infinite at v=c, as no reference frame can exist where the speed of light is the origin of motion. The conversation emphasizes that the Lorentz transformations, which derive time dilation and length contraction, rely on the constancy of the speed of light for all observers. Consequently, any attempt to apply time dilation formulas at v=c leads to undefined results.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, educators teaching special relativity, and anyone interested in the complexities of time and space as described by Einstein's theories.
Part of the definition of an Inertial Reference Frame (IRF) is that light travels at c so how can you transform an IRF to v=c? If you try to do it, you will see that you have to divide by zero which isn't allowed. So there is no such thing as an IRF where time stands still. There's no such thing as time dilation being infinite. There's no such thing as light taking a longer time (traveling slower than c, if that's what you mean).jmonlive said:How can speed of light be absolute yet that fact and relativity of sublight speed implies relativity of space and time intervals; if time time dilation is infinite at v=c, then time stands still only from that reference frame, but light takes a longer time relative to any other reference frame (thought it isn't at rest relative to our reference like any sublight speeds-to-rest reference-frame transform)?
jmonlive said:How can speed of light be absolute yet that fact and relativity of sublight speed implies relativity of space and time intervals; if time time dilation is infinite at v=c, then time stands still only from that reference frame, but light takes a longer time relative to any other reference frame (thought it isn't at rest relative to our reference like any sublight speeds-to-rest reference-frame transform)?