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Use the postulates of the special relativity theory to explain why the speed of light emitted from a fast-moving light source cannot exceed 3.00×10^8 m/s.

a) Time dilation and length contraction
b) Mass dilation and time dilation
c) Gravitational time dilation and length contraction
d) Gravitational time dilation and mass dilation

User Jcropp
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Final answer:

The speed of light emitted from a fast-moving light source cannot exceed 3.00×10^8 m/s due to the second postulate of special relativity. This postulate states that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and independent of the source's motion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of light emitted from a fast-moving light source cannot exceed 3.00×10^8 m/s due to the postulates of the special relativity theory. The second postulate of special relativity, which is based on the laws of electromagnetism, states that the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant (c) that is independent of the relative motion of the source. This means that regardless of how fast the light source is moving, the speed of light emitted from it will always be the same, at approximately 3.00×10^8 m/s.

This postulate leads to several consequences, such as time dilation and length contraction. Time dilation means that time slows down for an object moving at relativistic speeds compared to a stationary observer. Length contraction refers to the shortening of an object's length in the direction of its motion due to its high velocity. These effects occur to ensure that the speed of light remains constant for all observers, regardless of their relative motion.

User Niffler
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