Traveling a light speed from one clock to another

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of an observer traveling at the speed of light between two clock towers and whether they would perceive the hands of the approaching clock to move. The conversation touches on concepts related to the Doppler effect and the implications of light-speed travel on time perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if an observer were riding a beam of light, they would not see the hands of the clock move due to the nature of light-speed travel.
  • Another participant asserts that the observer would see the hands of the approaching clock move at an almost infinite speed, referencing the Doppler effect.
  • Some participants emphasize that the premise of an observer traveling at light speed is impossible, raising concerns about inconsistencies in the scenario.
  • It is proposed that at the limit of light speed, the measured frequency of the clock would approach infinity, with different perspectives yielding different interpretations of clock behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the feasibility of an observer traveling at light speed and the implications of such a scenario on time perception and clock behavior. Multiple competing views remain without a consensus on the validity of the assumptions made.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes limitations related to the assumptions of light-speed travel and the resulting implications on time measurement, which remain unresolved.

Taco Picasso
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Einstein is riding the beam of light away from the clock tower so the hands of the clock don't move. Suppose the beam of light he is riding on is going from one clock tower and directly to another clock tower. Would he see the hands of the clock that he is traveling toward move?
 
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Yes.
 
Taco Picasso said:
Einstein is riding the beam of light away from the clock tower so the hands of the clock don't move. Suppose the beam of light he is riding on is going from one clock tower and directly to another clock tower. Would he see the hands of the clock that he is traveling toward move?

Obviously; that's the Doppler effect. And he would see the hands of the approaching clock move at (almost)* infinite speed.

PS: Welcome to physicsforums. :smile:

*"almost": it's impossible to travel at light speed
 
Thank you for the welcome and the answer.

Regards,
 
The assumption of this is impossible. No observer can reach the speed of light, and inconsistencies arise when you forcibly choose light-like observer.
 
netheril96 said:
The assumption of this is impossible. No observer can reach the speed of light, and inconsistencies arise when you forcibly choose light-like observer.

Actually, in this case no inconsistencies arise: at the limit the measured clock frequency will be infinite. As measured from the perspective of the (impossible) "moving frame", this is due to all clock cycles accumulating together (like the sound of an airplane when it reaches the speed of sound). And as measured from the perspective of the "stationary frame", the observer's clock will, as it reaches the (impossible) speed of light, stand still so that any clock frequency that is compared to it will be infinitely faster.
 

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