Quote:
Originally Posted by Shnoz
I have chanced upon a mathematical paradox in an equation known as the Lorentz transformation, and I thought this would probably be a good place to find an answer.
Basically from my understanding the Lorentz transformation gives an observer's time compared to a moving object's time, because moving object's have slower times. I've tested the equation with all kinds of velocities and it always gives back a logical result, except for when I put in the velocity of light!
The equation is as follows.
't = (t - v/csquared)/(square root of1 - vsquared/csquared)
't - observer's time
t - moving object's time
v - velocity
c - speed of light
Hopefully it's possible to understand my write out of the equation. 
So if the velocity were to be the speed of light then we would eventually arrive at a division by 0, which is supposed to be impossible. So what exactly is the answer to this equation? What's the time difference between and observer's time and a photon's time?
Or I could have simply made a mistake in my understanding. Either way, I need answers!  |
The Lorentz transformations are only applicable for inertial frames of references travelling at speeds of less than C.
It follows the basic postulate of special relativity that no mass particle can attain the speed of light.
It's debatable if one can even assign a frame of reference to a photon. A photon can be simultaneously at the start and end of it's journey.
Regards
Steven