Traveling a light speed from one clock to another

In summary, Einstein is riding the beam of light away from the clock tower and will not see the hands of the clock move due to the Doppler effect. If the beam of light is going directly from one clock tower to another, the approaching clock's hands will appear to move at an almost infinite speed. However, this scenario is impossible as no observer can reach the speed of light without inconsistencies arising.
  • #1
Taco Picasso
2
0
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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  • #2
Yes.
 
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
Thank you for the welcome and the answer.

Regards,
 
  • #5
The assumption of this is impossible. No observer can reach the speed of light, and inconsistencies arise when you forcibly choose light-like observer.
 
  • #6
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.
 

1. How long would it take to travel at the speed of light from one clock to another?

Traveling at the speed of light is equivalent to traveling at 299,792,458 meters per second. Therefore, the amount of time it would take to travel from one clock to another would depend on the distance between the two clocks. However, according to the theory of relativity, time slows down as an object approaches the speed of light. This means that for an observer traveling at the speed of light, no time would pass at all, making the journey instantaneous.

2. Is it possible for humans to travel at the speed of light?

Based on our current understanding of physics, it is not possible for humans to travel at the speed of light. The energy required to accelerate an object to the speed of light would be infinite, making it physically impossible. Additionally, the human body is not built to withstand the extreme speeds and forces involved in traveling at the speed of light.

3. How does traveling at the speed of light affect time?

According to the theory of relativity, time slows down for an object as it approaches the speed of light. This means that for an observer on a spacecraft traveling at the speed of light, time would appear to pass slower compared to someone on Earth. This phenomenon is known as time dilation and has been proven through various experiments and observations.

4. Can objects with mass travel at the speed of light?

No, objects with mass cannot travel at the speed of light. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely, making it impossible to accelerate to the speed of light. This is known as mass dilation and is another concept of the theory of relativity.

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

Traveling at the speed of light would have significant consequences, including time dilation, mass dilation, and length contraction. Additionally, objects traveling at this speed would be subject to intense radiation and would require a tremendous amount of energy to maintain the speed. This makes it currently impossible for humans to travel at the speed of light.

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