Can You Travel Faster Than The Speed Of Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether it is possible to travel faster than the speed of light, exploring theoretical implications, relativistic physics, and speculative scenarios. Participants engage with concepts from physics, including energy equations and the nature of light in different media.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Theoretical physics
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference the equation E=γMoC² to argue that achieving or exceeding the speed of light would require infinite energy, suggesting that it is impossible to reach light speed in a vacuum.
  • Others propose that while one cannot travel at the speed of light, it may be possible to approach it asymptotically, with increasing mass requiring more energy as speed increases.
  • A participant mentions the concept of Cherenkov radiation as a phenomenon that occurs when an object exceeds the speed of light in a medium, but not in a vacuum.
  • Some argue that time dilation allows for different perceptions of light speed from different frames of reference, complicating the discussion about relative speeds.
  • There are speculative ideas about altering the medium through which light travels, suggesting that if light could be slowed down, it might allow for faster-than-light travel in some contexts.
  • One participant introduces the notion of tachyons as hypothetical particles that could travel faster than light, although this remains speculative.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that one can observe stars moving faster than light through non-inertial motion, raising questions about the nature of motion and speed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the possibility of faster-than-light travel, with some asserting it is impossible while others explore speculative scenarios. There is no consensus on the interpretations of relativistic effects or the implications of various physical theories.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on specific interpretations of relativistic physics and the implications of energy equations, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes speculative elements that are not grounded in established scientific consensus.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring theoretical physics, relativistic concepts, and the implications of light speed in various contexts, as well as individuals curious about speculative ideas in physics.

  • #31
JaredJames said:
Wormholes work on a different principle. At no point do you travel faster than the speed of light between two points because the distance between the two points becomes zero (or as small as possible).

Wormholes a strictly theoretical at the moment and there is no direct evidence they exist.


Not appropriate and a waste of a post.


Correct, you require infinite energy for any object with mass to travel at c.

Didn't Stephen Hawking in a 2010 interview, say wormholes exists, I thought it was regarded as scientific fact not fiction.
 
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  • #32
gopolks said:
Didn't Stephen Hawking in a 2010 interview, say wormholes exists, I thought it was regarded as scientific fact not fiction.
We have no evidence of wormholes. It's a fact that wormholes are consistent with our understanding of the universe. It is not a fact that they actually exist.
 
  • #33
this is a strange thread to have on the physics forum to my imagination since it is almost conclusive that relativity(which has not been disproven)predicts the impossibility of faster than light travel. i just don't see this as a serious thread and simply asks anybody to state their hokey theory for faster than light travel. i think on some occasions i would say that i can move faster than the speed of human perception but i don't really think anyone can travel faster than the speed of light which moves at a speed which can be described as seven times around the world in a single second. that's just too darn fast!
 
  • #34
Nope.
 
  • #35
schonovic said:
this is a strange thread to have on the physics forum to my imagination since it is almost conclusive that relativity(which has not been disproven)predicts the impossibility of faster than light travel. i just don't see this as a serious thread and simply asks anybody to state their hokey theory for faster than light travel. i think on some occasions i would say that i can move faster than the speed of human perception but i don't really think anyone can travel faster than the speed of light which moves at a speed which can be described as seven times around the world in a single second. that's just too darn fast!

anything with mass cannot move at the speed of light, let alone faster than

do a forum search on the speed of light subject there are many earlier questions and answers on the subject :)

cheers
Dave
 

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