Why is Light Speed Invariant & Finite?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of infinite speed and how it is unimaginable and incomprehensible. It is also mentioned that observers in different reference frames should find the same one speed limit, and that this idea is just the speaker's imagination. The conversation concludes by stating that the question being asked is unanswerable and the thread is closed.
  • #1
alan123hk
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I think infinite speed is unimaginable. If something is moving at infinite speed, we can't find it at all because it has moved to infinity. Furthermore, when the maximum speed is limited, a reasonable inference should be that observers in different reference frames should find the same one speed limit. It would be unimaginable and incomprehensible if observers in different frames of reference could get different speed limits, which would mean different places in the universe have different laws of physics, unless it was deliberately arranged by the creator.

This post is not about why the speed of light is equal to 299 792 458 m/s, there must be a fixed value anyway.

But then again, the above point of view is of course just my ignorant imagination. I hope to get more in-depth and intelligent comment or response from the experts here.
 
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  • #2
Your question is unanswerable: it amounts to asking "why are the laws of physics what they are?".

Thread closed.
 

FAQ: Why is Light Speed Invariant & Finite?

Why is light speed considered invariant?

Light speed is considered invariant because it remains constant regardless of the observer's frame of reference. This means that the speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion.

What does it mean for light speed to be finite?

For light speed to be finite means that it has a specific and constant value. In other words, light cannot travel infinitely fast, and its speed is limited to a specific value in a vacuum.

How was it determined that light speed is invariant and finite?

The invariance and finiteness of light speed were determined through experiments, most notably the Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887. This experiment showed that the speed of light remains constant regardless of the direction or speed of the observer.

What are the implications of light speed being invariant and finite?

The implications of light speed being invariant and finite are far-reaching and have significant impacts on our understanding of the universe. It is a fundamental principle of the theory of relativity and has implications for time, space, and the behavior of objects at high speeds.

Is there any evidence that light speed could be variable or infinite?

So far, there is no evidence to suggest that light speed could be variable or infinite. All experiments and observations have consistently shown that light speed is invariant and finite. However, some theories, such as string theory, propose the existence of extra dimensions where light could travel at different speeds, but this is still a topic of ongoing research and debate.

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