Infinity & Particles: Can They Really Travel at the Speed of Light?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter nistal
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinity Particles
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of photons and their ability to travel at the speed of light (c). Participants explore the implications of mass on speed, questioning whether particles can achieve light speed without having zero or infinite mass. It is established that photons possess zero mass, which allows them to always move at c. The conversation also touches on the mathematical concepts of zero and infinity, clarifying that while zero is achievable in certain contexts, it cannot be used as a divisor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly the theory of relativity.
  • Familiarity with the properties of photons and their mass.
  • Basic calculus, specifically the concepts of limits and division by zero.
  • Knowledge of the speed of light and its significance in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the theory of relativity and its implications on mass and speed.
  • Study the properties of photons and their role in electromagnetic radiation.
  • Learn about the mathematical treatment of limits in calculus.
  • Explore advanced topics in particle physics, particularly mass-energy equivalence.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light and particle behavior in the universe.

nistal
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I just started to study and happen to stumble to more questions then answers.

I thought that photons would travel with the speed of light, and the problem is that in calculus we learned that 0 and ∞ are not achievable numbers.
And for a particle to achieve the speed of light, would it not have to achieve a 0 or ∞ mass and would that not break our universe or something like that.. :) or is it ok at all, particles achieving such values(limits).

are they really with c speed?? maybe they do have a mass and a speed of something like 99% of c, which is as we know far from possible to achieve(but it is real).. doesn't that make more sense??

sry for my bad english i hope you are still able to understand what i mean :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Photons have zero mass, and because of that they must always be in motion.

Zero is a very achievable number!
Like x + 5 = 5, what is x?
You can't DIVIDE by zero however.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can Cosmic Rays Be Economically Used in Particle Accelerators?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Max Speed of Molecules: 1 Electron Stripped?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Graduate Are all massless particles "born" at light speed?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad Velocity of Bosons: Massless Particles & Electromagnetic Force
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad How can photons interact if they travel at the speed of ligh
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Special relativity thought: Traveling to the future relative to a particle
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
High School c^2 in Einstein‘s theory of relativity
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Can Unlimited Energy Launch Objects into Orbit Using Accelerator Technology?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
Undergrad Breaking the Light Speed Barrier?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Does a certainty in the position imply infinite variation in speed?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K