What happens when an infinite force collides with an object of infinite mass?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothetical scenario of an infinite force colliding with an object of infinite mass. Participants conclude that this situation is not physically possible due to the implications of momentum and force equations, specifically F = dp/dt. They argue that an infinite mass would not change its state regardless of the force applied, as demonstrated by the equation dv = F*dt/m, which approaches zero. Additionally, the concept of imaginary momentum is introduced, suggesting that while mathematically interesting, it does not align with physical reality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion (F = dp/dt)
  • Basic knowledge of momentum and its properties
  • Familiarity with concepts of mass and gravitational fields
  • Introduction to complex numbers in physics
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  • Research the implications of infinite mass in theoretical physics
  • Study the concept of momentum in both classical and quantum mechanics
  • Explore the mathematical treatment of imaginary momentum in wave functions
  • Investigate the effects of gravitational fields generated by massive bodies
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, theoretical physicists, and anyone interested in the implications of extreme physical scenarios in the context of classical mechanics and relativity.

misogynisticfeminist
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I've received a hypothetical question. What happens if a force with magnitude collides upon an object with infinite mass? Is this a physically possible situation? If yes, state why, if no, state why as well.

I don't know much physics so what i did to answer it was to say that since [tex]F= \frac {dp}{dt}[/tex], we can draw a momentum time graph. And the only time when [tex]\frac {dp}{dt}[/tex] is infinity is when we have a vertical line t= something. Which means, that, momentum is undefined elsewhere, since momentum always have defined values, we say that this situation is not physically possible.

Is it also possible to say that momentum takes on complex values outside the line and since momentum is always real, this situation is not physically possible (something like faster than light travel).

Right?

I hope to hear some other alternatives...
 
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First of all, if you are speaking about force, you need to state what body exerts the force. Even if we are talkin about the field, the field is provided by some object, or we need to consider the field itself as an object with mass.

Second, if you have a body with infinite mass, then any force, no matter how large it is , will not change the body state:
dv=F*dt/m==0. You may get the same result if you consider a collision between two balls with different mass, and look for a limit when one of the balls has an infinite mass.

Third, there is no problem to have an imaginary momentum. As a matter of fact, any decaying wave can be considered as a propagation with an imaginary momentum.
 
I don't want to sound like a smart alek in saying this, but an object of infinite mass would have a gravitational field of infinite magnitude, regardless of the acting body's distance. Therefore the acting body would move to the infinite mass at an infinite acceleration. Instantly, the acting body would be gone just from having existed in the same universe as the infinite mass. Do you think that's right? Maybe the infinite mass would tear a hole in the universe and just sort of...fall out of it. Then we wouldn't have to worry about that mass anymore, but we'd still have a big hole in the universe. That would suck.

How about two bodies of infinite mass? Then you have a party!
 

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