If the light velocity is a vector quantity, why vector

deformere692qr

deformere692qr

Answered question

2022-05-10

If the light velocity is a vector quantity, why vector addition cannot be applied to it? Or the light velocity is not a vector quantity?

Answer & Explanation

nelppeazy9v3ie

nelppeazy9v3ie

Beginner2022-05-11Added 22 answers

The speed of light is a vector quantity and vector summation works perfectly well for it (at least in Special Relativity). You just cannot change the frame of reference.
For example if you have one object moving at c in one direction and another object moving at 1/2c in the opposite direction, then the middle between the two will move at c/2 in the same direction as the first. This is from point of view of a stationary observer.
The distance between the two objects grows as 3/2c. This is in the stationary reference frame of course, the objects themselves will see each other moving at speed of light.

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