Faster Than Light Particle: Could it Create the Universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the hypothetical scenario of a particle that could exceed the speed of light, exploring the implications of such a particle on the nature of the universe and the Big Bang. It involves speculative reasoning about the consequences of breaking established physical laws, particularly Einstein's Special Relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant wonders if a particle could exceed the speed of light and whether it would travel at a speed just above light or infinitely fast, questioning the implications of such a scenario on the universe.
  • Another participant argues that if one were to allow for faster-than-light particles, it would require inventing new laws of physics, which would lead to predictions disconnected from observable reality.
  • A third participant asserts that the question of faster-than-light travel is moot since it contradicts the principles of relativity, suggesting that the theory does not provide answers for scenarios that cannot occur.
  • A later reply reiterates that personal speculation about faster-than-light particles is not permitted within the forum, emphasizing the impossibility of such a scenario according to established physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that faster-than-light travel is not possible according to current physical theories, but there is disagreement on the value of speculating about such scenarios and their implications.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects limitations in addressing hypothetical scenarios that contradict established physical laws, as well as the challenge of engaging with speculative ideas without violating forum guidelines.

Mike Downey
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TL;DR
I've wondered what would happen to a particle if it could break through the 186,000 miles/second barrier and go faster than light.
Would it go say 186,001 miles/second or would it go infinitely fast. I understand that Einstein's special relativity prohibits this but I have just wondered.
I've wondered what would happen to a particle if it could break through the 186,000 miles/second speed barrier and go faster than light. Would it go say 186,001 miles/second or would it go infinitely fast. I know Einsteins Special Relativity prohibits this but I have just wondered.
Now if this particle could break through this barrier and go infinitely fast (all places at the same time) is it possible this one particle could constitute the whole universe.
Is it also possible that the sole purpose of the Big Bang was to create this one particle?
 
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Mike Downey said:
Would it go say 186,001 miles/second or would it go infinitely fast. I know Einsteins Special Relativity prohibits this but I have just wondered.
As you say, it's impossible, so you'd have to invent changes to the laws of physics to permit it. You therefore get to choose what you want to predict. But because you are making up the rules instead of modeling what we actually see, your prediction will have nothing to do with reality.
 
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You cannot just say things like that and expect that relativity has an answer. You are essentially asking what the theory says about something that cannot occur according to the theory. The answer is that it cannot occur so the question is moot.
 
Mike Downey said:
Now if this particle could break through this barrier and go infinitely fast (all places at the same time) is it possible this one particle could constitute the whole universe.
Is it also possible that the sole purpose of the Big Bang was to create this one particle?
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

We do not allow personal speculation like this. Please avoid such speculation in your future posts. It is fine to ask questions -- that is how we learn.

But as has been mentioned, what you are asking (a particle moving faster than c in a vacuum) is not possible.

Thread will be closed now.
 

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