Travelling at the speed of light

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of traveling at or near the speed of light, particularly focusing on the perceptions and observations of an observer moving at such speeds. It touches on concepts from special relativity, including light behavior, relativistic effects, and the nature of speed limits in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that an observer cannot travel at the speed of light, but can approach it, leading to various relativistic effects.
  • It is proposed that as an observer moves close to the speed of light, they would experience light from different directions appearing to converge towards the front, with light from the rear redshifting and light from the front blueshifting.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how the sequence of events differs between a moving observer and a stationary one, seeking clarification on this aspect.
  • Another participant suggests that maximum speed cannot be achieved by massive objects, only by waves, which raises questions about the nature of energy transfer and speed limits.
  • A question is raised regarding whether the world would appear to be blueshifted from the perspective of a fast-moving observer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that an observer cannot reach the speed of light, but there are competing views on the implications of traveling near that speed, particularly regarding the perception of light and the nature of speed limits.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the differences in event sequences for moving versus stationary observers, as well as the implications of energy transfer through waves versus massive objects.

Koveras00
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What will the world appears to a observer traveling at the speed of light?
 
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An observer cannot move at the speed of light.
Let's suppose it is moving really near to the speed of light.
He will see everything shrinking in the direction of its movement by the factor of [squ](1-(v2/c2)) .
 
Originally posted by Koveras00
What will the world appears to a observer traveling at the speed of light?

As STAii already explained, according to special relativity, the speed of light cannot be reached by any massive object. Still traveling at subluminal speed can offer very interesting effects since all the light seen by such a fast observer would be changing both in color and direction.
All the light coming from the rear of the observer would redshift, all the light coming from the front would blueshift.
But the most interesting effect would be that all rays of light would be seen in different directions: the light coming from any direction will start appearing just as if it was coming from a direction closer to the front of us (direction of velocity). At a high enough speed all the light would appear in front of us, until closing into a single point.

I remember a really nice book by some Kaufmann guy on this subject... not much more.

Ask more if I did not make myself clear (is pretty late here... and not only that, ;) ), Dario
 


Originally posted by dg

But the most interesting effect would be that all rays of light would be seen in different directions: the light coming from any direction will start appearing just as if it was coming from a direction closer to the front of us (direction of velocity). At a high enough speed all the light would appear in front of us, until closing into a single point.

I remember a really nice book by some Kaufmann guy on this subject... not much more.


I do not understand this part. ANd may i ask how the sequence of events differ frm the moving observer and the stationary one?

And one more, what is the title of this book?
 
remember

Maximum speed cannot be acheived through moment of an object body. Only waves can, because in a wave no atoms physically move but is caused by transferring an energy from atom-to-atom (rember the atoms vibrate). It's not impossib;e to make a rocket travel at a speed of light but will cause more complex problem. Many problems come ito action such as speed varying on air pressure. Till today's date wave is known as the most effeciant way to tranfer energy.
 
Last edited:
wouldn't the world appear to be blueshifted?
 

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