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PhysKid24
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I would just like to know, in the simplest explanation possible, why the speed of light is so fast? A student of mine asked me the question and I wasn't able to come up with a good enough answer. thanks
PhysKid24 said:I would just like to know, in the simplest explanation possible, why the speed of light is so fast? A student of mine asked me the question and I wasn't able to come up with a good enough answer. thanks
wisp said:This helps explain things from an ether perspective.
Phobos said:Except that it has been demonstrated that there is no Ether.
quasar987 said:On that same note, why is Planck's constant so damn small?
Isn't there a more general answer as to why physical constants are what they are?
Or at least an hypothesis.
Or do we have no clue.
quasar987 said:On that same note, why is Planck's constant so damn small?
Isn't there a more general answer as to why physical constants are what they are?
Or at least an hypothesis.
Or do we have no clue.
But what is 'something that has real physical properties'? What is 'a fictitious force'?wisp said:To determine a relationship between the physical constants, you first need to find something that has real physical properties. Currently special and general relativity give no clues whatsoever as to what this physical something is. In fact the theories completely avoid physical issues, even to the point where it describes gravity as a fictitious force. We need something more physical to work with, like the ether.
The speed of light, also known as the constant c, is considered the fastest possible speed because it is the maximum speed at which energy and information can be transmitted in the universe. This is due to the fundamental principles of the theory of relativity, which states that the speed of light is a universal constant and is independent of the observer's frame of reference.
The speed of light is measured by using a variety of experimental techniques, including the use of lasers, interferometry, and time-of-flight measurements. One of the most accurate methods of measuring the speed of light is the use of a vacuum, which eliminates any interference from air particles.
The speed of light plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, even though most of us do not realize it. It is the foundation of modern physics and is used in various technologies such as telecommunications, GPS, and medical imaging. Without the speed of light, our modern world would not be possible.
According to the theory of relativity, it is impossible for any object with mass to reach or exceed the speed of light. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely, making it impossible to reach the speed of light. However, there are some theories that suggest the existence of particles, such as tachyons, that can travel faster than the speed of light, but these are still hypothetical and have not been proven.
Yes, according to our current understanding of physics, the speed of light has always been constant. However, there are some theories, such as string theory, that suggest the possibility of the speed of light changing in different dimensions or in the early stages of the universe. These theories are still being studied and have not been proven.