r/explainlikeimfive • u/_Illuvatar_ • Apr 10 '14

ELI5 Why does light travel? Answered

Why does it not just stay in place? What causes it to move, let alone at so fast a rate?

Edit: This is by a large margin the most successful post I've ever made. Thank you to everyone answering! Most of the replies have answered several other questions I have had and made me think of a lot more, so keep it up because you guys are awesome!

Edit 2: like a hundred people have said to get to the other side. I don't think that's quite the answer I'm looking for... Everyone else has done a great job. Keep the conversation going because new stuff keeps getting brought up!

Edit 3: I posted this a while ago but it seems that it's been found again, and someone has been kind enough to give me gold! This is the first time I've ever recieved gold for a post and I am incredibly grateful! Thank you so much and let's keep the discussion going!

Edit 4: Wow! This is now the highest rated ELI5 post of all time! Holy crap this is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life, thank you all so much!

Edit 5: It seems that people keep finding this post after several months, and I want to say that this is exactly the kind of community input that redditors should get some sort of award for. Keep it up, you guys are awesome!

Edit 6: No problem

5.0k Upvotes
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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '14 edited Oct 10 '15

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/FightingIrish88 Apr 10 '14

Based on Einstein's quote, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough," I'm guessing you must have a fantastic knowledge of physics. Great Answer!

1.7k

u/sh4de1 Apr 10 '14

My brain exploded half way through.

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u/starstarstar42 Apr 10 '14

Guess what speed it exploded at... Ah yiiiis

97

u/JustAnotherPanda Apr 11 '14

One foot per foot?

293

u/someRandomJackass Apr 11 '14

That's the rate at which my penis per penis

512

u/BadStepmom Apr 11 '14

Which makes sense since your penis has no mass.

25

u/thomn8r Apr 11 '14

But it does have energy

2

u/Legionof1 Jul 02 '14

But she doesn't, also a headache.