Undergrad Faster Than Light Particle: Could it Create the Universe?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothetical concept of a particle exceeding the speed of light, specifically questioning whether such a particle could exist and if it could constitute the universe. Participants emphasize that according to Einstein's Special Relativity, surpassing the speed of light is impossible, rendering the inquiry moot. The conversation highlights the importance of adhering to established physical laws when discussing theoretical scenarios, as personal speculation is not permitted in scientific discourse.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's Special Relativity
  • Basic knowledge of particle physics
  • Familiarity with the concept of the speed of light (c)
  • Awareness of the Big Bang theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Einstein's Special Relativity on particle behavior
  • Explore the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and its relation to particle physics
  • Investigate theoretical physics concepts that challenge established laws, such as tachyons
  • Research the Big Bang theory and its significance in cosmology
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental laws of the universe and the implications of faster-than-light travel.

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.
 
In an inertial frame of reference (IFR), there are two fixed points, A and B, which share an entangled state $$ \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|0>_A|1>_B+|1>_A|0>_B) $$ At point A, a measurement is made. The state then collapses to $$ |a>_A|b>_B, \{a,b\}=\{0,1\} $$ We assume that A has the state ##|a>_A## and B has ##|b>_B## simultaneously, i.e., when their synchronized clocks both read time T However, in other inertial frames, due to the relativity of simultaneity, the moment when B has ##|b>_B##...

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