Can someone appear to be moving faster than light?

In summary, according to the velocity addition formula, if two people are moving at opposite directions at nearly the speed of light, 9/10 for example, they would not appear to be moving faster than light to each other. Instead, they would be moving just under the speed of light. This formula can be found on various websites, such as the one provided.
  • #1
nate808
542
0
If you have two people moving at opposite directions at nearly the speed of light, 9/10 for example, how would the other person appear to them? Would they seem to be moving faster than light?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
nate808 said:
If you have two people moving at opposite directions at nearly the speed of light, 9/10 for example, how would the other person appear to them? Would they seem to be moving faster than light?

(.9c+.9c)/(1+.81)=(1.8/1.81)c < c
 

FAQ: Can someone appear to be moving faster than light?

How is it possible for something to appear faster than light?

The concept of appearing faster than light is not currently supported by scientific evidence. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is the fastest possible speed in the universe, and nothing can exceed it.

Are there any exceptions to the speed of light?

No, the speed of light is a fundamental constant and there are no known exceptions to it. Some particles, such as neutrinos, have been observed to travel close to the speed of light, but never faster.

What happens when an object travels faster than light?

According to special relativity, an object traveling faster than light would experience time dilation and would appear to have infinite mass. This is currently considered impossible and contradicts the laws of physics.

Is there any scientific evidence for faster-than-light travel?

No, there is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea of faster-than-light travel. While theories and hypothetical scenarios have been proposed, they have not been proven through experimentation or observation.

Could advanced technology allow for faster-than-light travel?

Possibly, but it would require a major breakthrough in our understanding of physics. Currently, our understanding of the laws of the universe does not support the concept of faster-than-light travel, so it is unlikely to be achievable with current technology.

Similar threads

Back
Top