Einstein and his theory of light speed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on Einstein's theory regarding the speed of light, particularly the implications of traveling at or above light speed. Participants explore theoretical aspects, challenges to established physics, and the nature of light in relation to high-speed travel.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if an object were to travel at the speed of light, the surrounding light would become "paralyzed" or black, as it could not catch up.
  • Another participant asserts that no massive object can reach or exceed the speed of light.
  • Some participants challenge the impossibility of exceeding light speed, questioning what prevents such an occurrence, citing the absence of friction in space.
  • Another response emphasizes that achieving light speed would require infinite energy, which has been consistently observed in particle accelerators, where particles remain below light speed despite increased energy input.
  • A technical explanation is provided regarding the nature of massive particles and their timelike four-momentum, which implies they cannot exceed light speed.
  • One participant critiques the previous argument about friction, clarifying that mass and inertia are the true factors resisting acceleration, not friction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express conflicting views on the possibility of massive objects exceeding the speed of light, with some asserting it is impossible while others argue against this limitation. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific definitions and interpretations of physical concepts, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the implications of traveling at light speed.

kimster
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Einstein theorized that if you were to go the speed of light or even faster then the light around you would become paralyzed. But if you're going that fast then the light wouldn't be able to catch up to you, so technically wouldn't the light around you would become black because the light cannot catch up to you.
 
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No massive object can travel at any speed equal or greater than the speed of light.
 
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast? space has no friction or air friction to prevent an object form exceeding that speed
 
kimster said:
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast?
There are a couple of things. The first is that it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate a massive object to c. So that prevents an object from reaching c from any v<c. This has been verified in particle accelerators on a daily basis. No matter how much energy we pump into a particle it still remains at some v<c.

The second is a little more technical, but explains why a massive particle cannot simply start out at v>c. A massive particle has a timelike four-momentum by definition, and a timelike four-momentum implies a timelike four-velocity. All timelike four-velocities correspond to v<c.
 
MODERATOR'S NOTE:

Several posts in this thread have been deleted. Please keep the discussion factual, courteous, and helpful.
 
kimster said:
actually it can, what would be preventing it form going that fast? space has no friction or air friction to prevent an object form exceeding that speed
This is wronger than just as pertains to special relativity: friction has nothing to do with anything. It is mass (inertia) that resists acceleration via f=ma.
 

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