Velocity of a photon from its own reference frame

sri sharan · Dec 15, 2011

So what will it see it self as?? At rest or moving a velocity c? Either way it seems to be a contradiction, so does that mean a photon can't be reference frame?

D H · Dec 15, 2011

Exactly. See our FAQ, [thread]511170[/thread].

sri sharan · Dec 15, 2011

Hmm, shouldn't that be an assumption in Special relativity as well, along with equivalence of all inertial frame, and the light speed one.

or

does it mean that a photon reference frame simply doesn't and cannot exist

PAllen · Dec 15, 2011

sri sharan said:

Hmm, shouldn't that be an assumption in Special relativity as well, along with equivalence of all inertial frame, and the light speed one.

or

does it mean that a photon reference frame simply doesn't and cannot exist

Extra assumption not needed. Definition of reference frame of an (inertial) observer: frame in which observer is at rest. Axiom of relativity: light moves at c in all reference frames. Then the reference frame of a photon requires it to simultaneously be at rest and move at c. Contraction. Such a frame is excluded without additional assumptions.

sri sharan · Dec 15, 2011

yes, I see it now

Velocity of a photon from its own reference frame

Discussion

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