Faster than the speed of light (pulling on a string)?

[Ozs]

If you were to connect a string from one star to another (assuming everything remains still), and then you were to pull one side of the string towards you, the other would be pulled immediately, thus the "communication" between the two edges is technically faster than the speed of light? Does this make sense?

 

[fresh_42]

If you were to connect a string from one star to another (assuming everything remains still), and then you were to pull one side of the string towards you, the other would be pulled immediately, thus the "communication" between the two edges is technically faster than the speed of light? Does this make sense?

No, not immediately and not even at speed of light. It occurs at the speed of sound. You will find probably dozens of threads on PF here, which deal with this idea.

 

[cjl]

The other end wouldn't get pulled immediately, because the string has a certain amount of "stretchiness" to it. So, when you pull your end, the string will stretch a bit and that extension will travel down the string at approximately the speed of sound in the string.

 

[ZapperZ]

If you were to connect a string from one star to another (assuming everything remains still), and then you were to pull one side of the string towards you, the other would be pulled immediately, thus the "communication" between the two edges is technically faster than the speed of light? Does this make sense?

This type of question has been asked so many times, there is a FAQ on it:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/can-i-send-a-signal-faster-than-light-by-pushing-a-rigid-rod/

Zz.

 

[berkeman]

The link to the FAQ should take care of the OP's question. Thread is closed.