Light speed as the processing speed of the universe

In summary, Stephen Wolfram says that if the universe is like a computer and/or runs like cellular automata, then the speed of light can be seen as the processing speed of the universe. He believes it may have been he who brought this up. There are many theories on why light might slow down in water, but the most plausible one is that it's because there is more calculation to be done.
  • #1
Meatbot
147
1
I have seen speculation that if the universe is like a computer and/or runs like cellular automata, then the speed of light can be seen as the processing speed of the universe. You can't go faster because the universe can't calculate what will happen any faster than that. I think it may have been Stephen Wolfram who brought this up. What do you think of this idea?

Maybe it slows down in mediums like water because there is more calculation to be done.
 
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  • #2
Maybe it slows down in mediums like water because there is more calculation to be done.

It does not slow down in water. Photons are absorbed and reabsorbed at the same rate, the difference is that water and other materials are different from a vacuum, so when they absorb and give off the same quanta of energy, they are again doing it in some direction that will cause this process to be repeated, so it just seems like overall it's slower, but it's really not.

- Bryan
 
  • #3
kanzure said:
It does not slow down in water. Photons are absorbed and reabsorbed at the same rate, the difference is that water and other materials are different from a vacuum, so when they absorb and give off the same quanta of energy, they are again doing it in some direction that will cause this process to be repeated, so it just seems like overall it's slower, but it's really not.

- Bryan

Yes, but the continuous absorption/reabsorption would be the "calculations".
 
  • #4
I guess opaque objects would be a "stop" command?
 
  • #5
DaveC426913 said:
I guess opaque objects would be a "stop" command?

You're guess is probably better than mine. Maybe processing speed is not why light slows down. Maybe the universe stops calculating inside opaque objects, or does it very slowly. Maybe it does something totally different inside them. Who knows?
 
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  • #6
only the phase velocity changes in water. the group velocity is still c.
 
  • #7
DaveC426913 said:
I guess opaque objects would be a "stop" command?

No, a pause and a JMP ;)
 

1. What is the concept of "light speed as the processing speed of the universe"?

The concept of "light speed as the processing speed of the universe" is the idea that the speed at which light travels, known as the speed of light, is the maximum processing speed of the universe. This means that no information or energy can travel faster than the speed of light, making it a fundamental limit in the functioning of the universe.

2. How is the speed of light determined?

The speed of light is determined by the constant value of 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. This value was first measured by Danish astronomer Ole Rømer in the 17th century through observations of the moons of Jupiter. Later, it was accurately calculated by physicist James Clerk Maxwell using equations of electromagnetism.

3. Why is the speed of light considered the maximum speed in the universe?

The speed of light is considered the maximum speed in the universe because it is a fundamental limit set by the laws of physics. According to Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, nothing with mass can travel faster than the speed of light. This means that light is the fastest possible way for information or energy to travel in the universe.

4. How does the speed of light impact our understanding of the universe?

The speed of light plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe. It helps us determine distances in space, as we measure light years, which is the distance that light can travel in one year. The speed of light also affects how we perceive time, as objects moving at high speeds experience time dilation. Additionally, the speed of light is a fundamental constant in many equations and theories of physics.

5. Can the speed of light ever be exceeded?

Based on our current understanding of physics, the speed of light cannot be exceeded by any object with mass. However, some theories, such as string theory, suggest the possibility of faster-than-light travel through phenomena like wormholes. These theories are still speculative and have not been proven, so the speed of light remains the ultimate speed limit in the universe.

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