Why light speed is constant? (please read)

In summary, the conversation discusses the base of special relativity theory, which is the constant speed of light in vacuum. Time dilation and Lorentz contraction are consequences of this constant speed, and the question of why light has this speed is raised. The possibility of tachyons and the importance of the constant speed in the laws of physics are also mentioned. One hypothesis offered is that the speed of light was determined during the Big Bang when photons were created and accelerated without any forces acting against them. However, this explanation may seem far-fetched as it tries to use cosmological arguments to explain a local phenomenon.
  • #1
Taturana
108
0
We'll know that the base of special relativity theory is "the light has a constant speed in vacuum".

Time dilation and Lorentz contraction are consequences of the constance of light speed.

If we excite photons, for example, its frequence increases (and the wavelength could decrease), but it happens for light speed continues constant. It's also an consequence of constance of light speed.

Everything seems to be a consequence of constance of light speed.

But, the question is: WHY light has a constant speed (in vacuum)?
What about tachyons? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachyon" )

Any discussions are welcome.
 
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  • #2
The question of 'Why?' is more philosophy than physics.
 
  • #3
Anyway, the constant c would still be of great importance (and would still be measurable) even if there were no particles that moved that fast, assuming the laws of physics were still Lorentz-symmetric. For example, clocks moving at some v slower than light would still slow down by the factor of [tex]\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}[/tex].
 
  • #4
im not sure, but this is what i think:
Hypothesis of why the speed of light is the speed of light:
In the time of Big Bang when the first atoms were created, the matter and anti-matter destroyed each other and made the photons. When they eliminated each other, photons were sent out, in the exact speed it was accelerated in. And as Newton’s laws says: “Nothing can be stoppep without friction”. And, as we all know, photons are massless particles and have no effect on gravity, and that’s why they never stop and always go in the same speed. :D PEACE!
 
  • #5
Trying to invoke cosmological arguments to explain a local phenomena doesn't seem a bit bizarre to you..?
 

Related to Why light speed is constant? (please read)

Why is light speed constant?

The speed of light is constant because it is a fundamental constant of the universe. It is not affected by the motion of the source or the observer, and it is the same in all directions and in all frames of reference.

What is the speed of light?

The speed of light, represented by the letter c, is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. This is the fastest speed at which energy can travel in the universe.

How was the constancy of light speed discovered?

The constancy of light speed was first discovered and confirmed by numerous experiments, including the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887. This experiment showed that the speed of light was the same regardless of the direction of measurement.

Why is light speed considered the universal speed limit?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the maximum speed at which energy and information can travel in the universe. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass and energy increase infinitely, making it impossible to reach or exceed the speed of light.

Is it possible for light speed to change?

No, the speed of light is considered a constant and cannot change. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the laws of physics are the same for all observers in all frames of reference, and the constancy of light speed is a fundamental part of these laws.

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