Spinning faster the the speed of light

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of a disc spinning faster than the speed of light and its implications, particularly regarding visibility and the generation of sonic booms. Participants explore concepts related to sound waves and the behavior of objects at high speeds, including comparisons to known phenomena such as helicopter blades.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a disc spinning faster than the speed of light could be seen and whether it would create a sonic boom when surpassing the speed of sound.
  • Another participant asserts that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, suggesting that the initial question is illogical.
  • A participant inquires specifically about the possibility of a sonic boom occurring when an object travels faster than the speed of sound, noting uncertainty about sound wave compression due to spinning.
  • It is mentioned that some fans, like helicopter blades, can spin faster than the speed of sound and do produce sonic booms.
  • A follow-up question proposes a scenario where blades are connected in a disc shape, asking if this configuration would allow for a sonic boom as it interacts with the sound waves it generates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of objects spinning faster than the speed of light and the implications of such speeds on visibility and sound generation. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made regarding the behavior of sound waves in relation to spinning objects and the implications of traveling at or beyond the speed of light.

flash11
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if a disc was spinning faster then the speed of light... would you be able to see it? and would it make a sonic boom when it past the speed of sound?
 
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flash11 said:
if a disc was spinning faster then the speed of light... would you be able to see it? and would it make a sonic boom when it past the speed of sound?

No, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, so asking whether or not you could see it is an illogical question.
 
well would it make a sonic boom when traveling faster then the speed of sound cause since its spinning I am not sure if the sound waves would compress?
 
Some fans spin faster than the speed of sound, such as helicopter blades and yes, they make a sonic boom.
 
thats interesting (: but suppose each blade was connected like disc or CD shape then would it make a sonic boom cause would it be able to run into the sound waves it creates?
 

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