Can Light Hook or Tether Enable Faster Than Light Travel?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jaspatrick
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of using light, specifically through mechanisms like a "hook" or tether, to enable faster-than-light travel or propulsion. Participants explore theoretical ideas related to light-based propulsion methods, including the potential for using light to push or pull objects, particularly at microscopic scales, such as nanobots or satellites.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of using light to pull or push objects, suggesting a tether or hook mechanism for propulsion.
  • Another participant asserts that no object with mass can reach or exceed the speed of light, regardless of the technique used.
  • A different participant acknowledges the current limitations but expresses curiosity about the theoretical plausibility of harnessing light for propulsion, particularly on a small scale.
  • One participant introduces the concept of solar sails as a valid propulsion method for spacecraft, noting its relevance to the discussion.
  • Another participant clarifies that while solar sails can utilize light for propulsion, they do not claim to accelerate mass to the speed of light.
  • A participant expresses interest in how quickly a solar sail could push or pull an object and questions if this could approach light speed travel without the need for traditional acceleration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the limitations of mass and light speed, but there are multiple competing views regarding the feasibility and theoretical exploration of using light for propulsion, particularly in the context of small-scale applications.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the mechanics of light propulsion and the definitions of terms like "accelerate" and "light velocity." The discussion does not resolve the theoretical implications of using light in this manner.

jaspatrick
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Light "hook" or tether..?

Hello! Simply a fan and not a scientist; so forgive if this has been asked or is simplistic--onward he queries!
I've read about the warp bubble and some ideas for faster than light travel (fascinating stuff, obviously); but my question is regarding the possibility of some sort of tether or hook in which to have light pull/push "us" along?
Obviously a laser probe or other light based probe would already travel that quickly; but what about a microscopic probe/nanobot or an unmanned satellite, etc. Is there some theoretical way in which to piggyback or lasso light/lasers?
Maybe some sort of sail or hood to be used as... well a sail?
Am I making sense or did a brain cell expire more colorfully than usual?
Thanks in advance and apologies again if this is more of a hollywood blockbuster idea.
Cheers!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


I'm not a scientist either, but no matter what "technique" you employ, no object containing mass can be accelerated to c (light velocity), much less exceed it.
 


LBrandt said:
I'm not a scientist either, but no matter what "technique" you employ, no object containing mass can be accelerated to c (light velocity), much less exceed it.

There seem to be some ideas out there that while this may be true now; it may not always be so... Not exactly what I asked either; but hey, no worries! Original question stands--I am curious about the tether, pulling/pushing method specifically. Are there any ideas along those lines or would it be scientifically proven impossible? Is there any theoretical plausibility to harnessing light to push/pull along with it--even on a tiny scale?
Thanks in advance!
 


Yes, but a solar sail does not purport to be able to accelerate a mass to light velocity.
 


Yes, I had actually read a bit about solar sails; I kind of piggy backed off that idea and was curious about how fast it could pull or push one along and would this type of idea or similar idea get us close to light speed travel? If it is the light itself's speed, would that side step the need to "accelerate" said object? Specifically, I am thinking very very small--nanobot of some sort, etc. (To be used as a deep space probe)
 


Oh, my apologies, thank you for the welcome and I am very glad to be here! It is very reassuring to see so many folks taking advantage and spreading such valuable information. Cheers to all involved!
 

Similar threads

High School Can Curved Spacetime Enable Faster-Than-Light Travel?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
High School Time Travel: Can Humans Go Faster Than Ordinary Speed?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Why would we need faster than light travel?
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
6K
Undergrad Information traveling faster than light? (thought experiment)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
High School Can We Create a Warp Drive for Light? - Josh's Curiousity
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Graduate Faster than light travel implications
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Can Emergent Spacetime Concepts Enable Faster-Than-Light Travel?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Could Laser Beam Shifting Enable Faster-Than-Light Communication?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Could Faster-Than-Light Travel Enable Time Reversal?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Can Relativity Theories Actually Permit Faster-Than-Light Travel?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K