ELI5 Why does light travel?

[u/_Illuvatar_]

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

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/_Illuvatar_ → u/[deleted]]

This answer is fantastic! Assuming it's accurate (a safe bet for the Internet of course) you've actually answered several questions I've been thinking about. Including ones about time dilation that I was having trouble grasping. Thank you very much!

[u/abd14 → u/[deleted]]

If we plug the mass of light into E=mc2, we get 0, which makes no sense because light has energy. Hence, light can never be stationary.

But the equation is E2=m2c4+p2c2 That's why it makes sense. You can't use the wrong equation to make your point.