Is it Possible to Attain the Speed of Light by Combining Two Half-Speed Bodies?

In summary, the speed of light "c" is unattainable, but a speed of 0.5c is attainable. However, velocities do not add up in the same way in special relativity. The equation w=(u+v)/(1+(uv/c^2)) must be used instead of the traditional w=u+v. This means that if two bodies are moving in opposite directions at 0.5c, the speed of light is not attainable. This is due to the second postulate of special relativity, which states that all observers measure the speed of light to be the same, regardless of their own motion. Therefore, the relative speeds of individual moving objects do not add algebraically.
  • #1
waqarrashid33
77
0
Every one know that the speed of light "c" is unattainable but IS half the speed of life is attainable?
i.e 1/2(c)
If we get two bodies of 1/2(c) speed then by moving these bodies in opposite direction the spees of light is attainable?
Is it possible?
 
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  • #2
A speed of 0.5c is attainable, but velocities don't add up like that in special relativity. Instead of w=u+v, the rule is

[tex]w=\frac{u+v}{1+\frac{uv}{c^2}}[/tex]

With u=-0.5c and v=0.5c, you get w=c/(1+0.25)=0.8c.
 
  • #3
I don't know about the details of relativity but know about it,s results.
Is from this equation the velocity of light is attainable or not by the motion of two bodies having speed less than C
 
  • #4
It's not. If u<c and v<c, then w<c.
 
  • #5
Since this is the Relativity section, think of the situation in terms of Special Relativity.
The 2nd postulate says that all observers measure the speed of light to be the same c.
So it doesn't matter to me how 'fast' any other object is traveling, I always measure c as c. I could accelerate for a long time, making me go a lot faster than other objects, doesn't change anything - we will each continue to measure c.
A consequence of this idea is that, as stated above, the (relative) speeds of individual moving objects does not add algebraically.
Ron
 
  • #6
If we get two bodies of 1/2(c) speed then by moving these bodies in opposite direction the spees of light is attainable?
Is it possible?

yes. Fredriks answer is precisely correct as observed from either u or v,

but if these are the speeds of spaceships relative to earth, an observer will see the ships moving apart at speed c...but if each ship emitted light, the light from each would be observed at speed c among all observers...
 

FAQ: Is it Possible to Attain the Speed of Light by Combining Two Half-Speed Bodies?

What is the speed of light?

The speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, or 186,282 miles per second. This is the maximum speed at which all matter and information in the universe can travel.

Why is the speed of light important?

The speed of light is important because it is a fundamental constant in the universe and plays a crucial role in many scientific theories and equations. It also has practical applications, such as in telecommunications and space travel.

Can anything travel faster than the speed of light?

According to the theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum. This means that the speed of light is considered to be the ultimate speed limit in the universe.

How can we measure the speed of light?

The speed of light can be measured using various methods, such as the Foucault apparatus, which uses a rotating mirror to measure the time it takes for a beam of light to travel a certain distance. Another method is the Michelson-Morley experiment, which measures the speed of light by comparing the time it takes for light to travel in different directions.

What are the implications of attaining the speed of light?

Attaining the speed of light would have significant implications for space travel, as it would allow us to explore much further into the universe in a shorter amount of time. It would also challenge our understanding of the laws of physics, as it would require immense amounts of energy and potentially open up the possibility of time travel.

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