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What gives light its speed? And why does it travel at c, not faster or slower?
Be careful with personal theories, there is a special section for that. I'll just point out that it doesn't hold if only one photon is emitted, in which case you cannot define a rate.h8ter said:Personally, I think the velocity of light through space has to do with the rate at which the energy is emitted and absorbed. Like in space, it is emitted and absorbed at a rate that allows it to go [itex]3x10^8~m[/itex] in one second. This value differs from water. It is emitted and absorbed to a lesser extent which gives it a slower speed. Those are just PERSONAL thoughts. I strongly agree with the magnetic permeability and electric permitivity; I just think it is easily explained through emission and absorption.
Well, it travels slower through atmosphere...phenylalanine said:What gives light its speed? And why does it travel at c, not faster or slower?
These are questions so basic to physics that they may never be literally known. That c has the units of velocity or its current numerical value most probably does not translate to some other regions of infinite space (likewise for other fundamental constants). Isn't it said that physics answers only "how" questions?What gives light its speed? And why does it travel at c, not faster or slower?
I believe you are close to correct.Is it true that light travels slower though a medium because the photons are absorbed and emited?