Unbreakable pole moved in an infinite vacuum

AI Thread Summary
In an infinite vacuum, moving an unbreakable pole 1 meter to the right over 0.9 seconds raises questions about the transmission of movement along its length. The response indicates that the other end of the pole does not move immediately; instead, the movement is limited by the speed of sound in the medium. This highlights the fundamental principle that no signal can travel faster than the speed of light, even in a hypothetical scenario with an unbreakable object. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the physics of signal transmission and perception in such scenarios. Ultimately, the movement of the pole's far end is not instantaneous, as it is constrained by physical laws.
Gargoyle
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Let's say I have an unbreakable pole. Let's also say I'm in an infinite vacuum. This pole is 240,000,000 meters in length. You are at the other end of the pole. I move the pole to the right 1 meter over the course of 0.9 seconds. Does the other end of the pole move immediately? If so, does it really move immediately or do you just perceive that it moved immediately?.
 
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Welcome to PhysicsForums, Gargoyle. This is a common question at PF. The quick answer is, the speed limit for any signal through a medium is the speed of sound for the medium used. There's a brief FAQ in the GR area that explains much better.

www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=536289
 
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