Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective

In summary, a photon does not have a valid frame of reference and it is nonsensical to imagine it having one. It is an oxymoron for a particle to be both stationary and moving at the speed of light. The question to ask is what a normal particle would see as it approaches the speed of light. This has been discussed in a Physics Forums FAQ.
  • #1
Cobalt101
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Is my following summary correct :
An observer will see that time has stopped for a photon as it is traveling at c. From the photon's perspective time is "normal" but this implies that the photon "sees" time for the rest of the universe as moving at infinite speed. i.e. could see the beginning and end of time as an instant.
 
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  • #2
Not correct, but a common misconception.

A photon does not have a valid frame of reference. It is nonsensical to try to imagine it.

Consider:
1] One of the primary postulates of relativity is that the speed of light in a vacuum is observed to be c in all frames of reference.
2] A photon always moves at the speed of light in a vacuum.
3] An object is - by definition - stationary in its own frame of reference.

Combine 1] 2] and 3] you have a particle that is both stationary and moving at the speed of light at the same time. It is an oxymoron.

What you want to be asking is:
What would a (normal, massive) particle observe as it approaches arbitrarily close to the speed of light?
 
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1. What is "Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective"?

"Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective" is a theoretical concept that explores the idea of time travel from the perspective of a photon, which travels at the speed of light. It is a way to understand the complexities of time travel and its implications through the lens of physics.

2. Can time travel at the speed of light really happen?

According to the theory of relativity, it is not possible for an object with mass to travel at the speed of light. However, the concept of "Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective" is a theoretical exercise that helps us understand the implications of time travel at the speed of light.

3. How does time dilation play a role in "Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective"?

Time dilation is a phenomenon that occurs when an object is moving at a high speed. According to the theory of relativity, time moves slower for objects in motion. In "Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective", this concept is applied to understand the effects of traveling at the speed of light on time travel.

4. Is "Time Travel at c: Photon's Perspective" possible?

Currently, there is no scientific evidence to support the possibility of time travel at the speed of light. It is a theoretical concept that helps us understand the complexities of time travel and its implications from a scientific perspective.

5. What are the potential consequences of time travel at the speed of light?

One potential consequence of time travel at the speed of light is the violation of causality, which is the principle that an effect cannot occur before its cause. This could lead to paradoxes and contradictions in the timeline. Another consequence could be the distortion of space and time, making it difficult to accurately predict the outcome of any actions taken during time travel.

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