Today 🧒
Child: How does light travel so fast?
Light moves super fast because it is made of tiny energy packets called photons. They zoom in straight lines almost instantly.
Child: What makes photons go so fast?
Photons don’t have weight like things we touch. Because they have no mass, they can move at the top speed in the universe.
Child: What is the top speed in the universe?
It’s called the speed of light. About 186,000 miles per second. That’s fast enough to circle Earth 7 times in one second!
Child: Can light slow down or stop?
Light slows a bit when it passes through things like water or glass but it never really stops unless it hits something or is absorbed.
Child: How do we know light moves so fast?
Scientists watch lightning and thunder. Light arrives first because it’s so fast. They also use lasers and clocks to measure light’s speed.
Child: How long does it take for sunlight to reach us?
Sunlight takes about 8 minutes to get here even though it’s super fast because the sun is very far away.
Child: Is light the fastest thing?
Yes, as far as we know, nothing can go faster than light in space. It’s the universe’s speed limit.
Child: Is light like sound or something else?
Light is different from sound. Sound needs air to travel, but light can zoom through empty space.
Child: Can I see light moving?
Usually no, because it’s too fast. But you can see light beams in fog or dust or when you shine a flashlight in a dark room.
Child: So light is really fast energy that helps us see?
Exactly! Light is a speedy traveler bringing us color and warmth. Keep watching and asking—there’s so much more to discover!