Why Does Light Take 8 Minutes to Reach Earth from the Sun

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of light experiencing zero time and distance and how it relates to the time it takes for light to reach us from the sun. It is pointed out that the concept is neither correct nor relevant, and the reason for seeing light take 8 minutes to reach us is explained as being due to our frame of reference and the distance between the sun and the earth. The conversation also touches on the idea that our experience of time is based on our frame of reference.
  • #1
stavragy
1
0
Question:
Light experiences zero time and zero distance so for a photon it must be here and there at the same instance. As the moment a photon is created it must be at position A and B at the same moment.
So for a Photon it takes zero time to reach Earth from the sun.
Why do we then see light taking 8 minutes to reach us?
 
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  • #2
stavragy said:
So for a Photon it takes zero time to reach Earth from the sun.
This is neither correct nor relevant. See the FAQ: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=511170

stavragy said:
Why do we then see light taking 8 minutes to reach us?
Because the sun is a distance of c*8min away in our frame.
 
  • #3
stavragy said:
Question:
Light experiences zero time ...Why do we then see light taking 8 minutes to reach us?
We experience 8 minutes, not the light.
 
  • #4
A.T. said:
stavragy said:
Question:
Light experiences zero time ...Why do we then see light taking 8 minutes to reach us?
We experience 8 minutes, not the light.
What do we experience that takes 8 minutes (aside from the fact that it takes 8 minutes for our clock to tick through 8 minutes)?
 
  • #5
ghwellsjr said:
What do we experience that takes 8 minutes (aside from the fact that it takes 8 minutes for our clock to tick through 8 minutes)?
The time that light takes to go from the sun to the earth, as measured in our frame of reference, of course. (Which is what the ticking clock measures.) How long it takes light to go from the Earth to the sun in any other frame of reference, including that of light, is not relevant.
 

Related to Why Does Light Take 8 Minutes to Reach Earth from the Sun

1. Why does light take 8 minutes to reach Earth from the Sun?

Light travels at a speed of 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. The distance between the Sun and Earth is approximately 149.6 million kilometers. When we divide the distance by the speed of light, we get approximately 8 minutes. This means it takes 8 minutes for light to travel from the Sun to Earth.

2. Is there any delay in the time it takes for light to reach Earth from the Sun?

Light travels at a constant speed, so there is no delay in the time it takes for light to reach Earth from the Sun. However, the distance between the Sun and Earth varies slightly due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth. This means that the time it takes for light to reach Earth can vary by a few seconds, but it is still approximately 8 minutes.

3. How does the distance between the Sun and Earth affect the time it takes for light to reach Earth?

The greater the distance between the Sun and Earth, the longer it takes for light to reach Earth. This is because light travels at a constant speed, so the longer the distance, the longer it takes for light to cover it. If the distance between the Sun and Earth were to increase, the time it takes for light to reach Earth would also increase.

4. Can light travel faster than 8 minutes from the Sun to Earth?

No, light always travels at the same speed in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. This means that no matter the distance, light will always take approximately 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to Earth.

5. Does light take the same amount of time to reach all planets in our solar system?

No, the time it takes for light to reach a planet depends on its distance from the Sun. The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes for light to reach it. For example, it takes light approximately 3 minutes to reach Mercury from the Sun, while it takes around 43 minutes to reach Neptune.

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