What if speed of light was Faster? Would TIME travel be prohibited?

In summary, the conversation touched on the concept of a faster speed of light and its potential effects, such as a significant increase in the sun's output if the speed were to increase by 10 times. The idea of time travel was also brought up, with the question of whether a faster speed of light would cause a time traveler to incinerate. The conversation also considered the implications of a faster speed of light on the time component of forces and momentum, as well as the famous equation e=mc^2.
  • #1
timejim
42
0
A recent post of slower than normal speed of light brought to mind "what If" light speed was faster. C being a constant, if it increased say by 10x, would the sun output be a 100 fold increase?
Also, it makes me question TIME travel. If one were to travel into the future, would there be a relationship to the speed of TIME (in this supposition, faster than normal speed of light), thereby causing the TIME traveler to incinerate?
 
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  • #2
Would time speed up if light did? I don't think so but it might seem that way. The light year would be longer, and the basic length of a four-vector in SR (squared) is [tex]c^2t^2 - x^2 - y^2 - z^2[/tex], so the time component of any force or momentum would be greater. I haven't thought enough to see all the implications. Think about [tex]e = mc^2[/tex]!
 
  • #3


If the speed of light were faster, it would have significant effects on our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It is impossible to say for certain what the consequences would be, but it is likely that the sun's output would increase significantly. However, it is important to note that the speed of light is not directly related to the sun's output. The sun's energy output is determined by its mass and composition, not the speed of light.

As for time travel, it is a highly speculative concept and there is no scientific evidence to support its possibility. The idea of traveling faster than the speed of light, whether it is in the past or the future, remains purely hypothetical. Additionally, even if the speed of light were faster, it is unlikely that it would have any effect on the concept of time travel. Time is a fundamental dimension in our universe and it is not dependent on the speed of light.

In regards to the concern about incineration, it is important to understand that the speed of light is not a measure of temperature. The speed of light is a fundamental constant that is related to the fabric of space-time, not temperature. Therefore, even if the speed of light were faster, it would not necessarily result in a higher temperature or incineration for a time traveler.

In conclusion, while it is interesting to speculate about the effects of a faster speed of light, it is important to remember that it is purely theoretical and has no basis in scientific fact. Time travel, in any form, remains a subject of science fiction and is not supported by current scientific understanding.
 

1. What is the current speed of light?

The current speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum.

2. How much faster would the speed of light need to be for time travel to be possible?

According to the theory of relativity, the speed of light is the maximum speed at which matter and information can travel. In order for time travel to be possible, the speed of light would need to be infinitely fast.

3. Would increasing the speed of light affect other physical laws?

Yes, increasing the speed of light would have a significant impact on other physical laws. For example, it would cause changes in the relationships between energy, mass, and velocity.

4. How would a faster speed of light affect our daily lives?

If the speed of light were to be significantly faster, it could potentially impact the way we communicate and travel. It could also have implications for technology and the way we understand the universe.

5. Is there any evidence to suggest that the speed of light has changed in the past?

There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that the speed of light has changed in the past. However, some theories propose that the speed of light may have been different in the early stages of the universe.

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