Light speed Impossible Faster than lightProbable?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of traveling faster than the speed of light, specifically focusing on tachyons, hypothetical particles that are theorized to move faster than light. Participants explore the implications of special relativity on the existence and properties of tachyons, as well as the challenges associated with harnessing them.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether tachyons can be harnessed for faster-than-light travel, referencing Einstein's assertion that reaching light speed requires infinite energy.
  • Another participant states that tachyons are theoretical and have not been observed, suggesting that if they exist, they would require infinite energy to slow down to light speed.
  • A participant raises a concern about the feasibility of detecting tachyons, noting that their speed would prevent detection by conventional means.
  • Another participant discusses the implications of special relativity on tachyon mass, suggesting that their mass would be imaginary and questioning the mathematical validity of faster-than-light travel based on the equation involving the square root term.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and properties of tachyons, with no consensus reached regarding their feasibility or implications for faster-than-light travel.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding tachyons, including the lack of empirical evidence and the complexities introduced by special relativity, such as the concept of imaginary mass.

Frosty_TAW
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Light speed...Impossible Faster than light..Probable?

With all the talk of speed of light and what not i have to ask. einstein said that to travel at the speed of light required an infinite amount of energy, correct? einstein also said that it is impossible to go from a velocity of below the speed of light and reach a velocity of the speed of light, correct? well what about particles that are already above the speed of light. I think they exist in theory because i have heard them bieng described in class as tacheyons. so my question is, can tacheyons be harnessed to give things faster than light velocities?
(sorry if i spelled tacheyons wrong)
 
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Tachyons are very theoretical, a figment of the mathematics of Relativity, they have never been observed and may or may not exist. If they do exist it will require an infinite amount of energy to SLOW them down to the speed of light.
 
How would you g about harnessing them if they travel so fast? You wouldn't even be able to detect them becasue the light wouldn't reach you or rather the device ur using fast enough. Is that not correct?
 
You're correct - that's what's so tough about them.
 
also i believe according to the special theory of relativity their mass would be imaginary... correct if I am wrong but doesn't the mass tend to a number over 0 as the speed approaches the speed of light? and similarly, how is it possible for something to go faster than the speed of light if the the term sqrt(1-(v^2)/(c^2)) would end up imaginary?
 


necroposting of the worst sort.
Thread closed
 

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