r/BeAmazed • u/billibillibillendar • Nov 27 '24

Science If you travel close to the light

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u/darwinn_69 Nov 27 '24

The cool thing about relativity is that the person going at the speed of light and the outside observer are both correct in their measurement of distances.

167

u/Iamlabaguette Nov 27 '24

Please explain that phenomenon, how can a physical distance (lets say a km) can shrink if I travel fast enough (if I understand well what this dude say, become about 15cm)

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u/Formal_Scarcity_7701 Nov 27 '24

I'm not an expert, but I'll try to pass on my understanding. A very simplified explanation would be that space and time can be mathematically modelled as relative to each other. Einstein combined the three physical dimensions and time into one seemless continuum, which is referred to as "spacetime."

Both are correct in their frames of reference because the physical distance is only constant when the frame of reference stays constant. Both the time AND the space change when you change the frame of reference, keeping in mind that a person travelling at almost the speed of light and a person on earth are very different frames of reference.

People quickly accept the concept of time dilation but not physical space, when really they are one and the same.

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u/cbe29 Nov 28 '24

This is not simplified

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u/HeyGayHay Nov 28 '24

you go brrr, space dilates to become smaller, while those not going brrr still see the huge distance 

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u/kalanchoemoey Nov 28 '24

Thank you for making me feel less dumb

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u/Formal_Scarcity_7701 Nov 28 '24

Yeah and it's not an explanation for time dilation either, sorry, it's really difficult to explain physics in a reddit comment as someone with only a bachelors in physics. I was just hoping that it would clarify that what he's talking about is essentially the same thing as time dilation, which many more people have heard of and know a little about.

This video explains a lot of what we're talking about in a very visual way, which should be easier to understand.

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u/cbe29 Nov 28 '24

I dont know physics at all. I thought Brian explained it quite well. I had some questions but overall understood. I think that is why he is in demand as he has a very good way of explaining a topic that very few know, in layman's terms. Nice try, though. However, I find there are more bright people who can understand these complicated subjects than people who can explain the concept to all.