Can Anyone Ever Surpass a 100m Sprint Time of 0.000000334 Seconds?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical possibility of achieving a 100m sprint time of 0.000000334 seconds, which is derived from running at the speed of light. Participants explore the implications of relativity on time measurement from different reference frames, questioning whether this time can be surpassed and how it would be perceived by both the runner and observers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the time for a 100m sprint at the speed of light as 0.000000334 seconds, noting it is purely theoretical.
  • Another participant suggests that while the time for the sprinter would be perceived as zero, spectators would measure a longer duration.
  • Some participants argue about the importance of the reference frame in measuring time, with conflicting views on whether the clock used affects the time recorded.
  • There is a contention regarding the implications of relativity, with some asserting that time does not pass for the runner at light speed, while others argue that time passes normally relative to the sprinter's frame.
  • A later reply introduces the time dilation equation to clarify the relationship between the runner's perceived time and the time observed by stationary observers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the implications of relativity on time measurement in this scenario. There is no consensus on whether the theoretical time can be surpassed or how it is perceived from different frames of reference.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include unresolved mathematical interpretations and assumptions regarding the nature of time at light speed, as well as the implications of different reference frames on time measurement.

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100m sprint -- world record

Let's say you run the 100 meter sprint at the speed of light. You start exactly when the race begins.

Thus, you have the fastest possible time for the 100m sprint.

Your time would be:
100m * (1 sec /299,792,458 m) = .000000334 seconds


If you started at the earliest possible moment, this would be the fastest possible time for the 100m sprint.

Would there be any way to beat that time? Or is that the limit for the 100m world record?

NOTE: This is all purely theoretical. I know that we cannot sprint at the speed of light. This is just for the sake of learning.
 
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That is correct.

- Warren
 
Yes and no. However I think there is a speed limit in which a human can reach.
 
Now that would be .000000334 seconds from the sprinters point of view. It would seem longer for the spectators, correct?
 
No it would be 0.00000034 from the spectators point of view, from the sprinters point of view (not that he should be possibly be able to have a reference point) no time would of passed.

Wouldn't the sprinter not only need to travel at the speed of light to achieve that speed but also have infinite accelration at the start too?


I'm going to write to the IOC and ask them to take into acount relativity in future for world record times.
 


Originally posted by brum
.

Your time would be:
100m * (1 sec /299,792,458 m) = .000000334 seconds

If you started at the earliest possible moment, this would be the fastest possible time for the 100m sprint.

Would there be any way to beat that time?
.

Yes, you could beat that time...IF you carried the clock with you as you sprint...your recorded time would be 0.00000000 seconds!
:wink:
Creator
 


Originally posted by brum
Let's say you run the 100 meter sprint at the speed of light. You start exactly when the race begins.

Thus, you have the fastest possible time for the 100m sprint.

Your time would be:
100m * (1 sec /299,792,458 m) = .000000334 seconds


If you started at the earliest possible moment, this would be the fastest possible time for the 100m sprint.

Would there be any way to beat that time? Or is that the limit for the 100m world record?

NOTE: This is all purely theoretical. I know that we cannot sprint at the speed of light. This is just for the sake of learning.


You're incorrect. If a runner runs at the speed of light. The time it takes them to complete the race is exactly:

00.000000000000000000 seconds
 


Originally posted by Shark
You're incorrect. If a runner runs at the speed of light. The time it takes them to complete the race is exactly:

00.000000000000000000 seconds


acording to whose clock?
 


Originally posted by maximus
acording to whose clock?


Who owns the clock does not affect the time. I hope you are not in charge of anything serious?!?
 
  • #10


Originally posted by Shark
Who owns the clock does not affect the time. I hope you are not in charge of anything serious?!?


OMG. you have to be joking. which clock is being used is essencial. to the sprinter, no time would pass, but to stationary observer exactly .0003...(whatever they said) time would pass. you should dust of that old general and special theory of relativity books.
 
  • #11


Originally posted by maximus
OMG. you have to be joking. which clock is being used is essencial. to the sprinter, no time would pass, but to stationary observer exactly .0003...(whatever they said) time would pass. you should dust of that old general and special theory of relativity books.


Is what a bit of a joke. Dusting off the textbook isn't needed as I guarantee you I know the material better than any textbook I've read.

So, what I meant was whose clock isn't important it's where the time is measured from.

And in this case - even if the runner measured the time, you must remember that time does not move when at the speed of light for the runner.
 
  • #12


Originally posted by Shark
So, what I meant was whose clock isn't important it's where the time is measured from.

true, but more accuratly what speed relative to the speed of light it was measured from. location isn't as important.


And in this case - even if the runner measured the time, you must remember that time does not move when at the speed of light for the runner.

that's what i said, wasn't it?
 
  • #13
sigh...
 
  • #14


Originally posted by maximus
true, but more accuratly what speed relative to the speed of light it was measured from. location isn't as important.




that's what i said, wasn't it?


Matter of fact you did say that. Why the effing hell I restated it is beyond my own idiocy for ****e sake. My post was utterly pointless.
 
  • #15
that is wrong, because to the sprinter time still passes normally relative to his time, but he would see the world freeze.
 
  • #16


Originally posted by Shark
Matter of fact you did say that. Why the effing hell I restated it is beyond my own idiocy for ****e sake. My post was utterly pointless.

If the runner is running at the speed of light, the time observed from his reference frame is exactly zero not zero with eighteen digit accuracy... you fvcking moron.

eNtRopY

P.S. I'm only picking on you because you are a dumb piece of sh:t who uses phrases like effing hell.
 
  • #17
I'm going to settle this argument once and for all. Use the goddamn time dilation equation:

Δt = γ * Δt0,

γ = (1 - β2)^(-1/2), and

β = v / c.

So if the runner is traveling at the speed of light (v = c), the change in time he observes Δt0 is equal to:

Δt0 = Δt / β, where lim{β --> infinity}.

The people watching the race from a stationary frame of reference will observe the runner to run the race in time Δt.

Δt = d / v, where v = c.

eNtRopY
 
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