you're driving at the speed of light and switch on the headlights

[McKenzie]

What happens? Does the road ahead light up?

My physics teacher used to ask us that.

[wtmusic]

1. You bet it does

The speed of light is independent in all inertial reference frames.

(Of course, it's impossible to travel the speed of light)

[SmileyBoy]

2. Actually, you can travel the speed of light, just not over it.

It's possible to travel 186,282 mps, but not 186,283.

[Sequoia]

3. But, but, what about warp speed Scotty?

[wtmusic]

5. Not true

Attaining the speed of light with any mass whatsoever would require an infinite amount of energy.

I don't care HOW many power bars you eat...

[Bunny]

8. But what if you add the dilithium crystals, Captain?

;)

[wtmusic]

9. the CRYSTALS??

I'm sorry, Bunny, but you know too much. I'm...I'm sorry...

[Bunny]

14. I know too much? Does this mean you have to kill me?

:P

[wtmusic]

19. No, actually

I thought you could make Dilithium-Ade from the crystals while we try to figure out this light thing... :P

[Bunny]

20. Only if I can throw a shot of gin into each glass.

Dilithium-ade has such a nasty aftertaste!! :silly:

[wtmusic]

22. M-mmm, very tasty...I really shouldn't drink while I drive though

especially at the speed of LIIIIIIIIGGHHHHTTT!!!!

*enters hereafter with hangover*

[Bunny]

23. Oh. let Sulu drive for awhile. It's his turn.

:D

[SmileyBoy]

13. You are correct, sir.

I just figured that out.

[khashka]

18. Damn Those Speeding Limits!

As Sammy Hagar might have said "I can't drive 186, 282!"

Khash the speedfreak.

[Salviati]

24. actually, it's the other way around...

if you could somehow get faster than c, there'd be nothing wrong with that (well, except the whole time going backwards part...), but traveling at c for anything with mass is strictly verboten.

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. Science Dork!!!

:P ;) :hi:

[BlueJazz]

4. Just be sure to use your High-Beams when...

..traveling at that speed. You wouldn't want to hit anybody.

[DBoon]

6. Only to you

If you are in a stationary frame of reference, you would just see s very fast car zip by.

[Swede]

7. When the rubber hits the road at those speeds,

all you can see is plaid.

[realisticphish]

12. what the HELL was that?

It's Spaceball One..they've gone to plaid!

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Az]

10. Well first of all

If you are moving at the speed of light then you have already probably converted to energy. Turning on the lights would not be physically possible. There wouldn't be a mechanism to make lights.

Let suppose you were moving slightly slower than the speed of light and kicked the lights on. You would perceive the beam of light shooting out before you are the speed of light relative to your position. Someone observing you from a distance would see a very compressed beam of light shifted very high up into the spectrum being emmitted from the front of your car.

[kanrok]

17. Now, what would have been your answer

assuming you were alive and knew, understood and appreciated physics in 1904?

[DS1]

11. Better get some deer whistles

;-)

[khashka]

15. Nope.

But I bet the cops pull you over.

Of course, the time dilation would be such that you could probably get away without paying the fine.

Khash.

[Richard Steele]

21. Yeah, just file for a jury-trial....

...and by the time your court date comes up, the issueing officer will have been dead for several thousand years.

How do you think KIRK kept his license?

[Blue-Jay]

16. Well...

If you turn on your lights after attaining light speed, they will not illuminate the path enough to avoid a space-deer. Based upon the fact that the electrical signal will have to travel from your action to the lights via electrical activity through wires and whatnot. Therefore, the light would follow you instead of lighting the way ahead.

If instead, you turned on your lights just prior to attaining light speed, you'd still hit the space-deer, because you don't have enough time to alter your course before a collision.

Either way, you'll need to replace your radiator and front bumper after collision.

[intrepid_wanderer]

25. YOU WOULDN'T HIT NO SPACE DEER!!

NoWAY!!


'cause I'd be all energy & would pass right through it/him/her!


PLUS, I'd have a FORCE FIELD!!! (NAH, NAH, NAH, nah, nah nah) :bounce: