UNIT 5
Text One
«Light»
300,000 + x km/s x = 0 or: x< 0 |
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It has a velocity of approximately 300,000 (three hundred thousand) kilometres per second. The velocity of light is absolute. This means that no physical object can have a velocity greater than 300,000 km/s. It follows that the velocity of light represents a limiting velocity. It represents a limiting velocity because no body can exceed it. The velocity of light represents a limiting velocity in that no object can exceed it, i.e. have a velocity greater than the velocity of light. Different wavelengths of light produce different sensations in the eye, which correspond to different colours. |
According to the special theory of relativity, the velocity of light is absolute and represents a limiting velocity in that the velocity of no body can exceed it. |
Exercise: True or false?
1. The velocity of light is a limiting velocity.
2. Light is composed of atoms.
3. Some objects can exceed the velocity of light.
4. No object can exceed the velocity of light.