Author Topic: how fast does light think light travels?(physics question) (Read 5400 times)

vorticon · « **on:** April 12, 2004, 03:38:30 PM »

to us light takes 4 years to get from alpha centuri...and according to the einstein relativity thingy the light experiences time different from us...so how long does light think the trip takes?

by the same thing why would astronauts return by our measurments 30 years or so later after a trip at light speed to alpha centuri if the measurment of 4 years is made from our perspective and not the lights? wouldent it be 8 years round trip to us and only 1 or 2 to them?

mietla · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:42:50 PM »

time stands still for the photon. From the photon perspective an act of transmission by the source nad the act of absorption by the destination happen simultaneously.

gofaster · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:46:37 PM »

Sounds like a conspiracy to me. Is it coincidence that "Capricorn One" was on last week? I think not!

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:50:15 PM »

"source nad"
Is that what you call the one that hangs lower than the other?

mietla · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:56:02 PM »

Typically we see this process as a source emitting a photon for no apparent reason and in a random direction. The photon then travels for a while (a picosecond or light years), and then it happens to run into some other particle which absorbs it.

In this view the act of transmission is indpendent form the act of absorption. It is possible that photon will travel forever, round and round the Universe never bumping into anything.

Feynman and Wheeler proposed a different model. The transmission of a photon will never happen unless there is a receiver ready to absorb it. They see it not as a transmittion/absorption sequence, but as an exchange instead.

"Somehow" (spooky action at a distance as termed by Einstein), both particles that exchange a photon, know about each other. The source emits a retarded (traveling forward in time) wave, The absorber sends an advanced wave (traveling back in time). What we see is a superposition of the two.

The consenquence of this theory is that every photon will be absorbed eventually (would not be emitted otherwise).

Just think of it, some quasar emits a photon 10 billions years ago, "knowing" that you'll be born 10 billion years later to see (absorb it with a particle in your eye). The photon is a "bridge" between your eye today and a quasar 10 billion years ago.

Spooky, huh?

Now, ask me about the meaning of life...

mietla · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:57:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FUNKED1
"source nad"
Is that what you call the one that hangs lower than the other?

Yeah, the higher hanging one emits, and the stuff drips down to the lower hanging one...

AKIron · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2004, 03:59:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mietla

Now, ask me about the meaning of life...

Easy one, to die with the most toys.

mietla · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:02:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKIron
Easy one, to die with the most toys.

You talked to Dalay Lama too?...

AKIron · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:07:10 PM »

I tried but he kept telling me to "go away Homer". My name's not Homer.

Otto · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:08:07 PM »

If they traveled at the speed of light (impossiable) time would stop for them. They would only age during the time they were at their destination. Not on the outward or return trip.

mosgood · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:20:30 PM »

wow.... all this stuff was much simpler to understand when I was smoking pot

DiabloTX · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:22:20 PM »

Light can't think so the question is moot.

mietla · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:47:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by mosgood
wow.... all this stuff was much simpler to understand when I was smoking pot

You can always start again, if you feel hunger for knowledge

beet1e · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2004, 04:52:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FUNKED1
"source nad"
Is that what you call the one that hangs lower than the other?

NUTTZ · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2004, 06:15:31 PM »

This is the correct answer, AND as you pass the moon you will see it from all sides at the same time, so i heard.

So, In theory, IF you were to past Ripsnort doing the speed of light, the harmonal warpage would make his earhair LOOK as if he had a full head of hair. And his Beemer would look like a cheap Daewood.

NUTTZ

Quote

Originally posted by Otto
If they traveled at the speed of light (impossiable) time would stop for them. They would only age during the time they were at their destination. Not on the outward or return trip.