Imaginary Mass: Understanding Tachyons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of imaginary mass and its implications for tachyons, hypothetical particles that are theorized to travel faster than light. Participants explore the necessity of the tachyon concept, its existence, and comparisons with other theoretical particles like superbradyons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion regarding the concept of imaginary mass and its relevance to tachyons.
  • One participant argues that if mass is imaginary, then tachyons cannot exist in the real world, suggesting a limitation in how we understand physical reality.
  • Another participant challenges this view, stating that dismissing imaginary mass reflects a bias against complex numbers, which are fundamental in quantum mechanics and string theory.
  • A question is raised about superbradyons, which are also theorized to travel faster than light but are said to have real mass, prompting a discussion about the nature of mass in hypothetical particles.
  • There is a mention of the term "real world" and how it may not exclude the existence of an "imaginary world" where such particles could exist, indicating a nuanced view on definitions of reality.
  • Participants note that both tachyons and superbradyons are hypothetical, emphasizing the speculative nature of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on the existence and implications of imaginary mass and tachyons, as well as differing interpretations of what constitutes the "real world."

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on definitions of mass and reality, and the unresolved nature of the existence of tachyons and superbradyons in physical theories.

gyroverse
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I'm having trouble with concept of imaginary mass, i just want to know why do we need the whole concept of tachyons
 
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One way of thinking about it is that if m is imaginary then it does not exist in the real world. i.e. tachyons do not exist in the real world.

Garth
 
Garth said:
One way of thinking about it is that if m is imaginary then it does not exist in the real world. i.e. tachyons do not exist in the real world.
Garth

Pardon me Garth, but IMHO that is a very bad way of thinking. It amounts to a "world is flat" prejudgement and bias about how the world might be put together. Quantum Mechanics is built around the complex numbers and string theory contemplates existing tachyons.

The fact that the complex field is algebraically closed (every algebraic equation has solutions) and the real field is NOT should count for something!
 
Superbradyons also travel at superluminal velocity howcome their mass is real?
 
Point taken selfAdjoint and understood, however I did use the term "real world", which does not exclude an 'imaginary world' which such objects might inhabit.

On definition of the 'real world' is that in it all masses are real.

When we discover tachyons in the laboratory then I will conceed that we do not live in such a 'real' world.

The same goes for the even more exotic superbradyons (a hypothetical class of superluminal particles that, unlike tachyons, have positive real values for both mass and energy.)

gyroverse - I guess their rest mass must be imaginary.

With both tachyons and superbradyons is not the operative word: "hypothetical"?

Garth
 
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