Light Speed: Distance & Time Explained

In summary, the conversation discusses the equation D=S*T, which represents the relationship between distance, speed, and time. The participants question the meaning of distance and time, as well as the possibility of changing the speed of time or the fabric of space. It is clarified that distance is measured by a ruler and time is measured by a clock, and that there is no way to decrease the speed of time or change the fabric of space. The conversation also touches on the use of clocks and frames of reference in physics.
  • #1
Dorky0
2
0
Hello forums,

I'm kind of new nice to meet you guys and girls,

Could someone please explain this to me?

D=S * TTherefore Distance = Speed of light * TimeAnd then Distance = Speed of light + 7 * TimeWhat is Distance and what is time?
 
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  • #2
If you increase the speed,then the time required decreases to cover the same distance.

Is there anyway to decrease the speed of time so that the speed of light increases, perhaps in all honesty change the distance too because I heard that there is a fabric to space.
 
  • #3
Welcome to PF!

I'm sorry, but this all really doesn't make any sense. The equation says if you go a certain speed for a certain time you go a certain distance. That's it. Not sure why you'd throw a "7" in there...

And the speed of light and rate of passage of time are always the same for you.
 
  • #4
Dorky0 said:
Is there anyway to decrease the speed of time so that the speed of light increases, perhaps in all honesty change the distance too because I heard that there is a fabric to space.

There is no such way. And spacetime is not a fabric. That's an extremely simplified analogy that doesn't represent the full picture, namely that spacetime is represented mathematically by a 4D manifold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_topology

Dorky0 said:
What is Distance and what is time?

Distance is that which a ruler measures, and time is that which a clock measures. :wink:
Seriously. That is a basic definition of distance and time. Even Einstein's papers on Relativity use a form of these basic definitions and our ways of teaching relativity involve problems in which we literally insert clocks into different frames of reference. There is no confusion or ambiguity in nearly all of physics about what these things are. If you hear otherwise, then you are dealing with highly theoretical physics, something outside of physics (such as philosophy), or you're dealing with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about.
 
  • #5
russ_watters said:
Not sure why you'd throw a "7" in there...
Days of the week? :smile:

Thread is now closed.
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters

FAQ: Light Speed: Distance & Time Explained

1. How is light speed measured?

Light speed is measured using a unit called meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per second (km/s). It is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time it takes for light to travel that distance.

2. 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 fastest speed at which any object can travel in the universe.

3. How long does it take for light to travel a certain distance?

The time it takes for light to travel a certain distance depends on the distance itself. For example, it takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for light from the sun to reach Earth, which is about 149.6 million kilometers away.

4. Can anything travel faster than light?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than light. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely and it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate it further.

5. How does light speed affect time?

As an object approaches the speed of light, time slows down for that object relative to an observer who is not moving at the same speed. This phenomenon, known as time dilation, has been proven through experiments and is a crucial aspect of Einstein's theory of relativity.

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