Time Dilation Effects of Warp Travel | 65 Characters

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of time dilation in the context of warp travel and hypothetical faster-than-light (FTL) travel. Participants explore theoretical implications, the nature of time at relativistic speeds, and the challenges associated with concepts like the Alcubierre drive.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal under certain conditions, questioning the implications of exceeding the speed of light with warp technology.
  • Others argue that while time appears normal for someone traveling at near light speed, it slows down relative to an observer at the departure point.
  • A participant mentions that the Alcubierre drive is a candidate for warp travel, involving the dilation of space, but raises concerns about causality paradoxes associated with FTL travel.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the Alcubierre drive does not technically solve the issues of FTL travel, as it requires exotic matter that may not exist and poses potential dangers upon deceleration.
  • One participant questions the origin of the "1/3" figure related to time dilation and seeks clarification on the corresponding velocity.
  • A later reply provides a resource for understanding relativistic velocities and their effects on time dilation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and implications of warp travel and time dilation, with no consensus reached on the validity of specific claims or the nature of the challenges presented.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the assumptions behind the "1/3" time dilation figure and the implications of exceeding the speed of light. The discussion also highlights the dependence on theoretical models and the limitations of current understanding in this area.

TheFloppyFIsh
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I was looking at Time Dialation a bit today and some of the experiments with it. Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light, what would happen if you went past the speed of light with a craft capable of warping.
Would it have no effect due to the fact space is moving and not the ship. Or could space instead be dilated? Just some food for thought.

*sidenote: considering light goes 100% of light could it actually be going much faster, except the time dilation makes it appear slower?
 
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If you are on a hypothetical spaceship traveling at near light speed, time will appear to be normal for you.
Your clock will appear to slow down as seen by an observer standing at the place of your departure.

The only candidate for a warp drive is the Alcubierre drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive.
This does indeed involve changing the shape of space, or dilation of space if you like
 
TheFloppyFIsh said:
Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light
1/3 corresponds to a speed below the speed of light. You cannot reach the speed of light, or even exceed it. You might be able to shorten the distance to your target, but that is independent of time dilation then. The details how this warping is done can still influence how the journey will look like (and how long it will take) for observers outside.
 
rootone said:
If you are on a hypothetical spaceship traveling at near light speed, time will appear to be normal for you.
Your clock will appear to slow down as seen by an observer standing at the place of your departure.

The only candidate for a warp drive is the Alcubierre drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive.
This does indeed involve changing the shape of space, or dilation of space if you like

Even if technical hurdles appear to be solved, no FTL model solves causality paradoxes, if it also allows FTL to occur in multiple inertial reference frames.
 
I wouldn't say that the Alcubierre drive idea is a technical solution, it's just a solution that doesn't violate relativity in principle.
For it work, exotic forms of matter are required, which most likely can't exist.
There is also the problem that, according to some, deceleration from the warped state would release energy sufficient to destroy everything in the vicinity ahead of the ship, and the problems don't end there.
There are also as you said causality paradoxes to contend with.
 
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TheFloppyFIsh said:
I was looking at Time Dialation a bit today and some of the experiments with it. Considering time goes approximately 1/3 as fast as normal, under 100% the speed of light
Where did this 1/3 number come from, and what velocity does it correspond do?
, what would happen if you went past the speed of light with a craft capable of warping.
Would it have no effect due to the fact space is moving and not the ship. Or could space instead be dilated? Just some food for thought.

*sidenote: considering light goes 100% of light could it actually be going much faster, except the time dilation makes it appear slower?

As a general rule, relativity says that you can't go as fast as light, so it can't answer the question about what happens if you hypothetically violate it.
 
To bone up on the effects of relativistic velocities on time dilation, have a look at the super-simple relativistic calculator at the bottom of this page:

http://www.1728.org/reltivty.htm
 

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