Albert is piloting his spaceship, heading east with a speed of 0.92 cc relative to Earth. Albert's ship sends a light beam in the forward (eastward) direction, which travels away from his ship at a speed cc. Meanwhile, Isaac is piloting his ship in the westward direction, also at 0.92 cc, toward Albert's ship

With what speed does Isaac see Albert's light beam pass his ship?

Question

Physics

Maren Carrillo

17 April, 07:38

Albert is piloting his spaceship, heading east with a speed of 0.92 cc relative to Earth. Albert's ship sends a light beam in the forward (eastward) direction, which travels away from his ship at a speed cc. Meanwhile, Isaac is piloting his ship in the westward direction, also at 0.92 cc, toward Albert's ship

With what speed does Isaac see Albert's light beam pass his ship?

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Answers (1)

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Gretchen Carr · Answer 1

He sees the light as 1c

Explanation:

According to relativity, the speed of light is the same in all inertial frame of reference.

If we were to add the velocities as applicable to a normal moving bodies, the relative speed of the light beam will exceed c which will break relativistic law since nothing can go past the speed of light.