Tachyons & Time: Does Faster Mean Before?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of tachyons, hypothetical particles that travel faster than light, and their implications for time travel and causality. Participants explore the relationship between tachyons and time, questioning whether tachyons could be emitted before events occur and what that means for the nature of time and the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that tachyons travel faster than light and speculate that this implies they could travel backward in time.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the logic connecting tachyons and time travel, particularly regarding the slowing of time with increased speed.
  • Another participant notes that while tachyons are theorized to travel faster than light, their existence remains speculative as none have been observed.
  • There is a correction regarding the application of time dilation to tachyons, with one participant stating that the time dilation factor for tachyons is imaginary, which complicates the interpretation of their behavior.
  • Some participants emphasize that tachyons cannot interact with anything moving forward in time, suggesting that this prevents paradoxes associated with time travel.
  • One participant questions the relevance of worrying about tachyons, suggesting they are a mathematical artifact rather than a physical reality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of tachyons for time travel and causality. While some believe tachyons could imply backward time travel, others challenge the logic of this connection and highlight the speculative nature of tachyons.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of tachyons and their interaction with time. The discussion includes corrections about the application of time dilation and the interpretation of the imaginary nature of the time dilation factor for tachyons.

Caesar_Rahil
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1]Tachyons are substances that travel faster than light.
2]The speed of light is approximately 3,00,000km/s (1,86,000mi/s)
3]Tardyons are particles that travel at speeds lower than light
4]With increse in speed time slows down.
5]Time travel at the speed of light. (from 4)

***My Question is***
Since, time travels at speed of light and tachyons travel faster than light, tachyons travel faster than time. Does that mean that tachyons are emitted before and event occurs. If it does, then it means that all things were planned out before the formation of the universe. This thing is puzzling me :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
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I am dubious of your logic, particularly steps 4 and 5.

However, yes, I believe that tachyons do travel backward in time.

You don't have to worry about time travel though, since they cannot cross the light barrier, they cannot interact with anything moving forward in time, thus no paradox.
 
Last edited:
DaveC426913 said:
However, yes, I believe that tachyons do travel backward in time.

But their existence is speculative though, since none have been observed.
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
1]Tachyons are particles that travel faster than light.
2]The speed of light is approximately 300,000km/s (186,000mi/s)
3]Tardyons are particles that travel at speeds lower than light
4]With increse in speed time slows down.
5]Time travel at the speed of light. (from 4)

fixed a few things
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
1]Tachyons are substances that travel faster than light.
2]The speed of light is approximately 3,00,000km/s (1,86,000mi/s)
3]Tardyons are particles that travel at speeds lower than light
4]With increse in speed time slows down.
5]Time travel at the speed of light. (from 4)

***My Question is***
Since, time travels at speed of light and tachyons travel faster than light, tachyons travel faster than time. Does that mean that tachyons are emitted before and event occurs. If it does, then it means that all things were planned out before the formation of the universe. This thing is puzzling me :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Is there a reason why you are being this confused and worrying about something that is so far only a mathematical ARTIFACT? I can give you plenty of other things to twist your mind on AND, have been verified to exist.

Zz.
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
1]
4]With increse in speed time slows down.
5]Time travel at the speed of light. (from 4)

[4] is correct for tardyons, and incorrect for tachyons.
[5] is very confused - I suppose you mean that time dilation goes to infinity as velocity approaches 'c'.

The time dilation factor 'gamma' for tachyons turns out to be imaginary (I'm not sure how to physically interpret this statement).

gamma = 1 / sqrt(1-(v/c)^2)

Note that |gamma| decreases as v increases for tachyons (that's why [4] is wrong).

You might also be interested in the sci.physics.faq about tachyons

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/ParticleAndNuclear/tachyons.html

which makes the bizarre point that while tachyons travel faster than light, they do not necessarily enable one to send information faster than light.
 
DaveC426913 said:
However, yes, I believe that tachyons do travel backward in time.
at FTL, time is imaginary, not negative
 

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