How is traveling backward in time possible?

  • Thread starter Bararontok
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Time
In summary, the concept of going back in time is often based on the idea of a continuum of time that can be manipulated or jumped into, rather than a regression of past events. However, this goes against the laws of physics and is not currently possible. Additionally, the concept of block time suggests that physical objects are 4-dimensional and do not move, leaving it up to consciousness to do the moving. This idea is not widely accepted by physicists and has no basis in reality. The laws of physics and general relativity indicate that time stops completely at the speed of light and moves in the opposite direction when exceeding it, but this is considered a mathematical fiction with no evidence in the physical world.
  • #1
Bararontok
298
0
How is it possible to go back in time when all the matter in the universe cannot be reverted to its original states once the matter has experienced changes in its states? Once all matter has experienced changes in state, the previous states of all matter are already considered non-existent, so how is it possible to go back to a state of the universe that no longer exists?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
As far as we know it is not possible.
 
  • #3
Bararontok said:
How is it possible to go back in time when all the matter in the universe cannot be reverted to its original states once the matter has experienced changes in its states? Once all matter has experienced changes in state, the previous states of all matter are already considered non-existent, so how is it possible to go back to a state of the universe that no longer exists?

The conceit of most "going back in time" concepts is that time is a continuum that still exists and that one can JUMP backwards into somehow, as opposed to a backwards regression of events. This totally defies all known physics and is utter rubbish.
 
  • #4
phinds said:
The conceit of most "going back in time" concepts is that time is a continuum that still exists and that one can JUMP backwards into somehow, as opposed to a backwards regression of events. This totally defies all known physics and is utter rubbish.

Hi phinds, I assume it's the "block time" concept we were discussing in another thread that you are here identifying as rubish. That other thread is the one that reviews Paul Davies's book "About Time" that has quite a bit to say about block time (he sometimes calls it timescape). One of his statements says that most physicists (including Einstein) embrace the block time concept.

Of course, in this model, material physical objects are 4-dimensional, embedded in a 4-dimensional universe. And material bodies therefore do not move at all--being frozen into place as 4-dimensional objects strung out along their world lines (extending into the 4th dimension). So, it's left up to consciousness to do the moving. One picture has consciousness moving along the world line at the speed of light--which accounts for the same speed of light for all observers.
 
  • #5
In a nutshell, your mass possesses a correlation with your momentum, to the point you become ridiculously massive once you approach the speed of light. As you most likely know, an object's mass is directly porportional to the effect of time on it. Thus, the following rules are valid according to the laws of physics and general relativity:

1. Time stops utterly at light speed.
2. Time begins to move in the opposite direction once you exceed the speed of light.
 
  • #6
pulsartoaster said:
2. Time begins to move in the opposite direction once you exceed the speed of light.

Yes, but that's a mathematical fiction that as far as is known has no basis in reality.
 

1. Can we really travel backward in time?

At this point in time, there is no scientific evidence or proven theory that suggests that traveling backward in time is possible. The laws of physics, as we understand them, do not allow for time travel. However, there are some theories and concepts that explore the possibility, such as Einstein's theory of relativity and the concept of wormholes.

2. How does Einstein's theory of relativity relate to time travel?

Einstein's theory of relativity states that time and space are interconnected and can be affected by gravity. This means that time can be stretched or slowed down in certain conditions, such as near a black hole. Some scientists believe that if we could manipulate gravity, we may be able to manipulate time and potentially travel backward in time.

3. What is a wormhole and how does it relate to time travel?

A wormhole is a hypothetical tunnel through space-time that connects two distant points in the universe. It is often described as a shortcut through space. Some theories suggest that if we could find or create a stable wormhole, we could use it to travel through time and potentially go back in time.

4. Are there any real-life examples of time travel?

Currently, there are no known examples of time travel in real life. Some people claim to have traveled through time, but these claims have not been scientifically proven. Time travel is still considered a theoretical concept and is not possible with our current technology.

5. Can we change the past if we were able to travel backward in time?

The concept of changing the past through time travel is a topic of much debate and speculation. Some theories suggest that changing the past could create paradoxes and inconsistencies, while others propose that the past is already set and cannot be changed. Overall, the idea of changing the past through time travel remains a mystery and is not currently possible.

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
2
Views
875
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
11
Views
559
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
2
Replies
63
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
8
Views
1K
Back
Top