If something moved at the speed of light

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of an object moving at the speed of light, particularly focusing on the potential consequences such as vaporization or nuclear explosions. It includes considerations of particle physics and radiation, as well as speculative claims about high-speed collisions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant claims that an object moving at the speed of light would vaporize or cause a nuclear explosion due to atoms crashing into it.
  • Another participant questions the assertion, asking if the effects would occur exactly at the speed of light or close to it, citing their experience with electrons traveling at 0.999c that do not result in nuclear explosions or vaporization upon collision with graphite.
  • A later reply expresses interest in the machinery used to generate high-speed electrons, indicating curiosity about the experimental setup.
  • Humor is introduced in the discussion with a light-hearted suggestion about where to find such a machine.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are competing views regarding the effects of high-speed collisions and the validity of the initial claims about objects moving at the speed of light.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of misunderstandings about basic physics principles, and the discussion references speculative ideas that may not align with established scientific understanding.

Gamerex
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then that object would vaporize or cause a nuclear explosion. Atoms crashing into an object at the speed of light would be basically spliting the atoms apart.
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Radiation works on this theory but some material can block radiation ?
 
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Gamerex said:
then that object would vaporize or cause a nuclear explosion.

Really? Exactly at c, or close to c?

I generate electrons going at 0.999c all the time. I sometime let them crash on a block of graphite after they exit the vacuum beamline. I see no nuclear explosion anywhere or "vaporization".

As with your "energy can be created" thread, you have a lot of misunderstanding about physics here that you are using as the basis for your speculation. You might want to first (i) double check if your understanding of the basic physics is correct before you use it to do other things and (ii) re-read the https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374" on speculative posts.

Zz.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ZapperZ said:
Really? Exactly at c, or close to c?

I generate electrons going at 0.999c all the time. I sometime let them crash on a block of graphite after they exit the vacuum beamline. I see no nuclear explosion anywhere or "vaporization".

Zz.

That sounds cool. Where can I get that machine? :P
 
At BestBuy. In the TV section.
 
nuby said:
At BestBuy. In the TV section.

I'm usually not one to spam, but that made me lol.
 

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