Can communication between two distant points be instantaneous?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of instantaneous communication between two distant points using a hypothetical solid rod that transmits messages through taps. Participants explore the feasibility of this analogy in the context of physical principles, particularly regarding the speed of signal transmission through materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes an analogy involving a solid, non-compressible rod to illustrate instantaneous communication via entangled particles.
  • Another participant challenges the feasibility of a non-compressible material, stating that such a material does not exist.
  • A subsequent reply confirms that the primary issue with the analogy is the existence of a compression wave that cannot exceed the speed of light (C).
  • Another participant suggests that the wave would propagate at the speed of sound in the material of the rod, indicating a limitation in the proposed communication method.
  • Further discussion reinforces that the speed of sound is dependent on the density and composition of the rod's material.
  • Links to external resources are provided for additional context on the topic of faster-than-light communication and rigid bodies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the proposed analogy fails due to the physical limitations of materials, particularly the speed of signal transmission. However, there is no consensus on the specifics of the analogy's shortcomings, as some participants focus on different aspects of the communication method.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumption of a non-compressible material and the dependence on the properties of the rod's composition, which are not resolved in the discussion.

BrianS
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I'm working on an illustrative analogy for instantaneous communication by entangled particles.

I am planning to write something along these lines, but I want to see if anyone can tell me if I'm missing something here:

"Imagine a rod that is connected in a frictionless and weightless environment between two distant points. The rod is solid, with a material that is so dense that it will not compress.

An operator (sender) at one end taps a morse-code message to a receiver at the other end. The rod moves easily with each tap, and thus, the message is communicated instantaneously between the sender and receiver - because the rod connects the two locations..."

Is there some reason this would not work?
 
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BrianS said:
The rod is solid, with a material that is so dense that it will not compress.

Sorry, there's no such thing. :H
 
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jtbell said:
Sorry, there's no such thing. :H
So that is the problem with this example - there will be a compression wave that moves at no faster than C?
 
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Bingo! :biggrin:
 
Awesome, thanks for the quick help. That saved me some grief :rolleyes:
 
I might be wrong but i believe the wave would only move at about the speed of sound in the material of the rod.
 
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BrianS said:
So that is the problem with this example - there will be a compression wave that moves at no faster than C?
CWatters said:
I might be wrong but i believe the wave would only move at about the speed of sound in the material of the rod.

yup exactly .. the speed of sound relative to the density of the rod's composition
 
BrianS said:
Is there some reason this would not work?
This video might also interest you:

 

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