Is Faster Than Light Travel Possible Through Kinetic Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of faster than light travel through kinetic energy, specifically using the example of a rod that is one light year long. Participants explore the implications of kinetic energy transmission and the propagation of signals through materials.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant claims that if a rod is one light year long and is bumped at one end, the kinetic energy would reach the other end before light does, suggesting that the rod travels faster than light.
  • Another participant questions the initial claim by asking about the speed of sound in the rod, implying that the propagation of the bump would occur at the speed of sound, not faster than light.
  • A third participant asserts that information, matter, and energy cannot travel faster than light, suggesting that the reasoning behind the initial claim may be flawed and that special relativity remains intact.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the possibility of faster than light travel through kinetic energy, with no consensus reached. Some challenge the initial claim while others defend it, indicating an unresolved debate.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights assumptions about the propagation of kinetic energy and the definitions of speed in different contexts, particularly in relation to special relativity. The limitations of the example provided are not fully explored.

ddarlage
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They say that faster than light travel is impossible. However, if you made a rod 1 light year long and someone was standing at the other end when you bumped it. They would feel it immediately. The kinetic energy generated by the poke reaches the person before the light. Kinetic energy is an attribute of an object in motion. Therefore the stick is traveling faster than light.
 
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ddarlage said:
They say that faster than light travel is impossible. However, if you made a rod 1 light year long and someone was standing at the other end when you bumped it. They would feel it immediately. The kinetic energy generated by the poke reaches the person before the light. Kinetic energy is an attribute of an object in motion. Therefore the stick is traveling faster than light.

Why would they feel it immediately? What is the speed of sound in a rod? If you smack one end of a rod with a hammer, the sound and movement) of the smack propagates at the speed of sound in the rod...
 
Information, matter, and energy cannot travel faster than light. Rather than ask if you have proven special relativity wrong, you should ask what is wrong with your reasoning such that it appears you can violate special relativity. I promise you, it will not be violated in your example.
 

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