Physics beyond the speed of light.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of physics beyond the speed of light, exploring whether there exists a branch of physics that addresses superluminal phenomena. Participants engage in theoretical speculation, with a focus on hypothetical scenarios and implications in cosmology and particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a branch of physics dealing with superluminal travel could be termed "superphysics" or "hyperphysics," while others dismiss this notion as science fiction.
  • One participant emphasizes that discussions about faster-than-light (FTL) travel are purely speculative and not aligned with the forum's rules.
  • Another participant notes that FTL is only known to occur in cosmology, specifically regarding galaxies receding at velocities greater than the speed of light due to the expansion of space.
  • There is mention of the Hartman Effect and Cherenkov radiation as potential phenomena related to FTL, suggesting a possible terminology gap in the discussion.
  • A participant references a technical paper exploring superluminal travel within the frameworks of general relativity and special relativity, acknowledging the impossibility of such travel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the existence of a legitimate branch of physics concerning superluminal phenomena, with some viewing it as speculative and others attempting to explore theoretical implications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity and scope of FTL concepts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is limited by the speculative nature of the topic, with participants expressing varying degrees of skepticism and interest in theoretical frameworks. There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions and implications of FTL phenomena.

brianhurren
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Is there a branch of physics that exist over the speed of light? like a superphysics or hyperphysics?
 
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that branch is called science fiction
 
Khashishi said:
that branch is called science fiction

+1 on that
 
yes, I mean hypothetically. it would all be theoretical, only of interest to drunken mathematicians.
 
This is venturing into pure speculation, which is against the Rules of this forum. You've already been given an answer to your question, which is whether there is a branch of physics dealing with this.

Zz.
 
Asked and answered.
 
brianhurren said:
yes, I mean hypothetically. it would all be theoretical, only of interest to drunken mathematicians.
"Drunken mathematicians"?? I resemble that remark!
 
brianhurren said:
Is there a branch of physics that exist over the speed of light? like a superphysics or hyperphysics?

There is no brance of physics for just FTL, because FTL is only known to be possible in Cosmology. (The study of the universe at a large scale) Galaxies beyond a certain distance from us reach recession velocities that are above c due to the metric expansion of space.

I assume this isn't anything like what you were expecting, but this is literally the only case of FTL that we know of.
 
Drakkith said:
this is literally the only case of FTL that we know of.

Unless...

If Brian is asking about the Hartman Effect involving virtual particles, or Cherenkov radiation resultant of a particle exceeding the phase velocity, but not the individual photonic speed, of light in a medium.
This might just be a matter of a terminology gap.
 
  • #10
There was a paper published I want to say about a year ago (I looked but could not find it) that was somewhat along these lines. I could only get a little way through it because it was technical but the gist was that the paper was exploring what superluminal travel would be like according to GR/SR-type theories; acknowledging that such travel was by all accounts impossible.

I'll edit in the link or respond if I can find it.
 

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