Quantum total eclipse of the sun?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a hypothetical scenario regarding a total solar eclipse caused by a quark orbiting in place of the moon, with the sun positioned at an unspecified distance from Earth. Participants assert that the question is fundamentally unanswerable due to the violation of established physical laws, specifically noting that quarks cannot exist in isolation and lack a well-defined size. The consensus is that exploring such scenarios is futile as they contradict the principles of physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly light propagation.
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics, specifically the properties of quarks.
  • Knowledge of celestial mechanics and solar eclipses.
  • Awareness of the limitations of hypothetical scenarios in scientific discourse.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of quarks and their role in particle physics.
  • Study the mechanics of solar eclipses and the conditions required for totality.
  • Explore the implications of instantaneous light speed in theoretical physics.
  • Investigate the boundaries of hypothetical scenarios in scientific inquiry.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the theoretical implications of light speed and particle behavior in astrophysical contexts.

mahonskey
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
Hypothetical: If light were instantaneous, how far from earth would the sun have to be to cause a quark orbiting in place of the moon to result in a total solar eclipse?
This might be total nonsense, but the thought popped into my head while I was trying to get to sleep, so I thought I see if I could find any advanced help with the following hypothetical:

If light were instantaneous, how far from Earth would the sun have to be to cause a quark orbiting in place of the moon to result in a total solar eclipse?
 
Space news on Phys.org
mahonskey said:
If light were instantaneous

It isn't, so your question is unanswerable. There's no point in asking what the laws of physics say about a scenario that violates the laws of physics.
 
mahonskey said:
how far from Earth would the sun have to be to cause a quark orbiting in place of the moon to result in a total solar eclipse?

This question is unanswerable because, first, quarks can't exist in isolation, and second, quarks don't have a well-defined size.
 
Since the OP questions are unanswerable, this thread is closed.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Hypothetical Eclipse Calculation
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School How common are total eclipses in the universe?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Undergrad Amount of energy inside a sphere of radius 1au around the Sun
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School The Sun's Influence on the Moon's Orbit: Is it Negligible?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Photographing a solar eclipse with a smartphone (safely)
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
High School When could life theoretically exist in any star system after the Big Bang?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
High School Understanding the Mystery of Sunlight Bending During a Solar Eclipse
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
High School What If We Could See the Past by Placing a Mirror on the Sun?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Graduate Scientific importance of total Solar eclipses?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
High School Could we shade the Earth from the Sun to save Earth?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K