Light Speed: Distance & Time Explained

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of distance and time in relation to the speed of light, exploring the implications of these relationships and questioning the nature of spacetime. Participants engage with both theoretical and conceptual aspects of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula relating distance, speed, and time, questioning the meaning of distance and time in this context.
  • Another participant suggests that increasing speed decreases the time required to cover a distance, and questions whether time can be altered to affect the speed of light.
  • A different participant challenges the initial claims, asserting that the equation is straightforward and questioning the inclusion of an arbitrary "7".
  • Another response emphasizes that spacetime is not a fabric but a complex mathematical structure, providing a basic definition of distance and time while asserting that these concepts are well-defined in physics.
  • A light-hearted comment is made regarding the "7", suggesting a humorous interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views, particularly regarding the interpretation of distance and time, the nature of spacetime, and the validity of the proposed formula. No consensus is reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of fundamental concepts, with some relying on basic definitions while others reference more complex theoretical frameworks. There is a noted ambiguity in the initial question regarding the use of "7" in the equation.

Dorky0
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Hello forums,

I'm kind of new nice to meet you guys and girls,

Could someone please explain this to me?

D=S * TTherefore Distance = Speed of light * TimeAnd then Distance = Speed of light + 7 * TimeWhat is Distance and what is time?
 
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If you increase the speed,then the time required decreases to cover the same distance.

Is there anyway to decrease the speed of time so that the speed of light increases, perhaps in all honesty change the distance too because I heard that there is a fabric to space.
 
Welcome to PF!

I'm sorry, but this all really doesn't make any sense. The equation says if you go a certain speed for a certain time you go a certain distance. That's it. Not sure why you'd throw a "7" in there...

And the speed of light and rate of passage of time are always the same for you.
 
Dorky0 said:
Is there anyway to decrease the speed of time so that the speed of light increases, perhaps in all honesty change the distance too because I heard that there is a fabric to space.

There is no such way. And spacetime is not a fabric. That's an extremely simplified analogy that doesn't represent the full picture, namely that spacetime is represented mathematically by a 4D manifold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_topology

Dorky0 said:
What is Distance and what is time?

Distance is that which a ruler measures, and time is that which a clock measures. :wink:
Seriously. That is a basic definition of distance and time. Even Einstein's papers on Relativity use a form of these basic definitions and our ways of teaching relativity involve problems in which we literally insert clocks into different frames of reference. There is no confusion or ambiguity in nearly all of physics about what these things are. If you hear otherwise, then you are dealing with highly theoretical physics, something outside of physics (such as philosophy), or you're dealing with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about.
 
russ_watters said:
Not sure why you'd throw a "7" in there...
Days of the week? :smile:

Thread is now closed.
 
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