In a vacuum chamber, an object dropped will not exceed the speed of light (c) due to the principles of Special Relativity. As the object's velocity approaches c, the amount of additional velocity gained from further acceleration diminishes significantly. This phenomenon necessitates the application of Einsteinian physics rather than relying solely on Newtonian physics, which is only accurate at lower speeds. Understanding the Lorentz Transform is essential for comprehending these relativistic effects.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of motion and the limitations imposed by the speed of light.
It doesn't matter how much it accelerates, it cannot exceed c. The closer you get to c, the smaller and smaller amount of additional velocity you get from further acceleration. This is such a basic question that I suggest that you do some reading on Special Relativity and the Lorentz Transform.Fraser MacDonald said:If an object is in a large vacuum chamber and is dropped, what is to stop it from accelerating to the point that it passes the speed of light, because there would be no air resistance to stop it from constantly accelerating?
Thank you very much, very helpfulphinds said:It doesn't matter how much it accelerates, it cannot exceed c. The closer you get to c, the smaller and smaller amount of additional velocity you get from further acceleration. This is such a basic question that I suggest that you do some reading on Special Relativity and the Lorentz Transform.
Thank you, I have asked a few people with a more physics related background to myself but they weren't too sure. This clears everything up.jedishrfu said:You're combining notions of Newtonian physics with Einsteinian physics. Newtonian physics is a great approximation to Relativity for slow speeds.
Basically as the velocity increases past a certain number, you can no longer rely on Newtonian physics and must switch to Einstein relativity to compute the changing velocity. In the relativity realm your object will approach the speed of light limit but never reach it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity