Will Pushing One End of a 2 Light Second Rod Move the Other End?

Thread starter waht
Start date Jul 10, 2005
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In summary, According to the laws of physics, pushing one end of a 2 light second rod will cause the other end to move in the same direction due to the transmission of force. However, there is a limit to how fast the other end can move, as it cannot exceed the speed of light. The force applied to one end will also not be instantly felt at the other end, as there will be a delay due to the speed of sound. The material and structure of the rod can also affect the movement of the other end, and a chain reaction can occur if the force is strong enough to overcome resistance.

Jul 10, 2005

waht

Let's say you have a metal rod in space that is 2 light seconds long. If you push one end of the rod, would they other end move 2 seconds later?

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Jul 10, 2005

krab

Science Advisor

It would take a LOT longer than that, since the signal could only travel at the speed of sound in the material.

Jul 10, 2005

brewnog

Science Advisor

Gold Member

This question was asked a few days ago:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=80352

Related to Will Pushing One End of a 2 Light Second Rod Move the Other End?

1. How can pushing one end of a 2 light second rod move the other end?

According to the laws of physics, any force applied to an object will cause it to accelerate in the same direction as the force. This means that when one end of the rod is pushed, the force will be transmitted to the other end, causing it to move.

2. Is there a limit to how fast the other end of the rod can move?

Yes, there is a limit to how fast the other end of the rod can move. The speed of light is the maximum speed at which any object can travel in the universe. Therefore, the other end of the rod cannot move faster than the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.

3. Will the force applied to one end of the rod be instantly felt at the other end?

No, the force applied to one end of the rod will not be instantly felt at the other end. This is because the force is transmitted through the rod at the speed of sound, which is significantly slower than the speed of light. Therefore, there will be a slight delay before the other end of the rod begins to move.

4. What factors can affect the movement of the other end of the rod?

The main factor that can affect the movement of the other end of the rod is the material and structure of the rod itself. Different materials have varying levels of stiffness and ability to transmit force, which can impact the speed and distance at which the other end of the rod moves when one end is pushed.

5. Can pushing one end of the rod create a chain reaction along the entire length?

Yes, pushing one end of the rod can create a chain reaction along the entire length. However, this chain reaction will only occur if the force is strong enough to overcome any resistance or friction within the rod. If there is too much resistance, the force may dissipate before reaching the other end of the rod, preventing a full chain reaction.