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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Does time dilation and length contraction apply to light?
« on: 07/04/2024 15:59:27 »Krytptid's thoughts here mirror mine very closely and it seems I have a major gap in my understanding of SR(not surprising really). If one could travel at the speed of light surely one's rapidity would be infinite and hence time and space would have no existence- why does this not apply to light?. I have heard several physicists state that "light does not experience time or space" or something similar expressed more accurately: I cannot remember any names other than the mathematician Roger Penrose(who can be controversial at times). This question of mine is a bit muddled but I could not find a better wording."If one could travel at the speed of light ..." That's the issue. Anything that travels at c would be in the same boat as light.
Consider the equation for relativist KE:
KE = mc^c (1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)-1) if v=c, then it reduces to :
KE mc^2(1/0-1)
Note the 1/0. 1/0 is undefined, thus the KE of a mass traveling at c would be undefined. Just like the singularity, the math doesn't give an answer for this scenario.
So when you post "If one could travel at the speed of light ...", you are essentially saying, "If Relativity doesn't hold..."
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