Chapter 15, Problem 3A

Does light travel through space? Through time? Through both space and time?

To determine

To identify: Whether light travel through space, time or both.

Answer to Problem 3A

The light travel through space but not through time.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation. The range of wavelength of light is $400\text{nm}\text{-}\text{700nm}$ . It lies between the infrared radiation and radiation of EM wave spectrum. Sun is the main source of light.Some properties of light can be explained through the wave nature of light and some with the help of particle nature of light.Thus, it shows dual behavior. According to particle nature of light, it is made up of photon.

Light is an EM wave which does not require any medium for its propagation so it can travel in space or vacuum. The speed of light in vacuum is $3\times {10}^8$ m/s.The photons does not experience time therefore light can not travel through the time. Thus, it can be concluded that light only travels though space but not through time.