Light speed; time dialation theory and its age

In summary, the conversation discusses time dilation theory and the concept of measuring the age of light. It is stated that it is impossible for us to reach the velocity of light and measure its age. The conversation also touches on the idea of an object's inertial frame and how it is meaningless to talk about light's frame due to the constant propagation of light at c in any inertial frame.
  • #1
rgprasannakum
2
0
Hi All..
I have a basic doubt in time dilation theory. As per time dilation theory, when an object moves with the velocity of light, then relatively its time becomes zero. In that case, light is traveling at 'velocity of light'. So for light, there is no age? Or I misconcepted time dilation theory?
 
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  • #2
You are asking for an unphysical situation. We don't have the ability to transform and know what laws work in the frame moving with velocity c.

I suggest you read the Relativity FAQ

https://www.physicsforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=210

...especially the entry on the rest frame of a photon.

Zz.
 
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  • #3
When you look at an someone moving with the velocity near to that of light, in your rest frame, you see that he gets older more slowly than if he was in your inertial frame, and obviously it doesn't mean that he is younger in his inertial frame too. The fact is that you are talking about the worldtime while his age, which is defined by himself, is according to the propertime (time in his rest frame). It is clear that matter never reach to c and your question is about light, but it seems the approach to it the same, for measuring the light's age you should go to its rest frame that is impossible while we can never reach to c.
 
  • #4
@ Saeide: As you said, we're not potential enough to reach velocity of light to measure its age. Maybe in light's frame; it might have some ages. But What I'm talking about is the intertial frame where the light does exist.
 
  • #5
The inertial frame where the light exists and the light's frame are the same, while the light velocity is constant and as a result we can say that the frame is inertial. Of course our physics laws are applicable only for velocities less than c, just like singularities in GR that we are not aware of what is going on in them.
 
  • #6
In Special Relativity, light is defined to propagate at c in any inertial frame you choose. When we talk about an object's inertial frame, we mean one in which the object is at rest. Therefore, it is meaningless to talk about light's frame. This isn't just a semantic issue, the mathematics won't support one inertial frame moving at c relative to another inertial frame so we can safely conclude that no object can move at c in any inertial frame.
 

FAQ: Light speed; time dialation theory and its age

What is the speed of light?

The speed of light, denoted as c, is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. This is considered to be the fastest speed at which anything in the universe can travel.

How does the theory of time dilation relate to light speed?

The theory of time dilation, proposed by Albert Einstein, states that time passes slower for objects moving at high speeds. This is directly related to the speed of light, as the closer an object moves towards the speed of light, the more time appears to slow down for that object.

What is the age of the theory of time dilation?

The theory of time dilation was first proposed by Albert Einstein in his theory of special relativity published in 1905. However, it was further developed and refined in his theory of general relativity published in 1915.

How does light speed affect the aging process?

According to the theory of time dilation, the closer an object moves towards the speed of light, the slower time appears to pass for that object. This means that an object traveling at the speed of light would experience time at a much slower rate compared to an object at rest. Therefore, light speed can significantly affect the aging process of an object.

Can anything travel faster than the speed of light?

According to the theory of special relativity, the speed of light is the maximum speed at which anything in the universe can travel. This means that it is not possible for anything to travel faster than the speed of light, as it would violate the fundamental laws of physics.

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