Unbreakable pole moved in an infinite vacuum

In summary, the question is whether the other end of an unbreakable pole in an infinite vacuum will move immediately when one end is moved 1 meter over 0.9 seconds. The answer is that the speed limit for any signal through a medium is the speed of sound for the medium used. There is a helpful explanation on the PhysicsForums website.
  • #1
Gargoyle
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Let's say I have an unbreakable pole. Let's also say I'm in an infinite vacuum. This pole is 240,000,000 meters in length. You are at the other end of the pole. I move the pole to the right 1 meter over the course of 0.9 seconds. Does the other end of the pole move immediately? If so, does it really move immediately or do you just perceive that it moved immediately?.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PhysicsForums, Gargoyle. This is a common question at PF. The quick answer is, the speed limit for any signal through a medium is the speed of sound for the medium used. There's a brief FAQ in the GR area that explains much better.

www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=536289
 
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1. What is an unbreakable pole in an infinite vacuum?

An unbreakable pole in an infinite vacuum refers to a hypothetical scenario where a pole is placed in a vacuum with no air resistance or external forces acting upon it. In this scenario, the pole would be considered unbreakable because there are no external factors that could cause it to break.

2. Can a pole really be unbreakable?

In theory, a pole could be considered unbreakable if it is placed in an ideal environment such as an infinite vacuum. However, in reality, there is no such thing as a completely perfect vacuum, and there will always be some external forces that could potentially cause a pole to break.

3. How is an unbreakable pole moved in an infinite vacuum?

In an infinite vacuum, there is no air resistance or external forces acting upon the pole. Therefore, the only way to move the pole would be to apply a force directly to it, such as by pushing or pulling on it. This force would have to be strong enough to overcome the pole's inertia and cause it to move.

4. What would happen if an unbreakable pole was placed in a non-infinite vacuum?

If a pole that is considered unbreakable in an infinite vacuum is placed in a non-infinite vacuum, it would likely experience external forces such as air resistance or gravity. These forces could potentially cause the pole to break or bend, depending on the strength of the pole and the external forces acting upon it.

5. What is the significance of studying an unbreakable pole in an infinite vacuum?

Studying an unbreakable pole in an infinite vacuum allows scientists to test the limits of materials and understand how they behave in ideal environments. It also helps in the development of new materials that could potentially be used in extreme conditions, such as in space or in high-speed transportation.

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