Does Work Have Infinite Speed in Physics?

[Hypercubes]

Hello,

I'm sorry if this question seems a bit ignorant, but I don't yet have an extensive knowledge of physics. My question is, does work (W) have infinite speed? For example, if one had a rod, and one turned it, would the rotational motion be transferred from the end of the rod where one was turning, to the other end instantly? Or would kinetic energy be transferred through vibrations? In the latter case, what would be the maximum speed possible?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NobodySpecial]

The maximum speed of an impulse in a material is (basically) the speed of sound in that material. You don't notice because the speed of sound in most solids is very high, eg in high strength steel it's about 6000m/s, compared to 350m/s in air

 

[Hypercubes]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[NobodySpecial]

It comes up often in relativity. The fist thing a student thinks of is, if i have a light year long stick I can prod somebody a lightyear away and break the speed of light limit.

 

[Brin]

It comes up often in relativity. The fist thing a student thinks of is, if i have a light year long stick I can prod somebody a lightyear away and break the speed of light limit.

! It's like you read my MIND !

Actually, when I first learned relativity I tried to imagine a galaxy long stick spinning about an axis perpendicular to its length. Specifically I tried to figure out what it might look like if a point at L/2 were going 0.99c, how fast is the tip moving?!