Traveling at the speed of light and time dilation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of time dilation on a spaceship crew traveling at or near the speed of light, particularly in the context of a fictional narrative. Participants explore theoretical implications, challenges of achieving such speeds, and alternative travel methods while maintaining a grounding in current physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the premise of reaching the speed of light, stating that it is impossible for objects with mass to attain that speed.
  • Another participant emphasizes that while approaching the speed of light results in time dilation, reaching the speed of light itself is not feasible, leading to an unanswerable question about time effects at that speed.
  • Some participants propose that traveling at 99.99% the speed of light could allow the crew to experience only a few minutes of transit time, while years would pass on Earth.
  • Concerns are raised about the practical challenges of relativistic travel, including radiation exposure and the potential hazards of dust clouds in space.
  • One participant suggests using suspended animation for the crew to manage the long duration of travel at lower speeds, such as 2% of the speed of light.
  • Alternative ideas for travel methods are discussed, including the possibility of entering an alternate dimension or using an energy field to negate mass, although these ideas are noted to verge on speculative technology.
  • Another participant mentions the concept of a dust shield to protect the ship from space debris, while also acknowledging its limitations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that reaching the speed of light is impossible for massive objects, but there are multiple competing views on the implications of traveling close to that speed and the feasibility of various travel methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach for the fictional narrative.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on speculative technologies and the unresolved nature of the energy requirements for near-light-speed travel. The discussion also reflects varying assumptions about the narrative's technological context.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers and creators interested in science fiction narratives involving space travel, time dilation, and the implications of relativistic physics may find this discussion beneficial.

  • #91
Paintjunkie said:
gamma...?

Can you elaborate on your question? And possibly quote the section of whatever post it's related to?
 
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  • #92
sorry I don't have a question its more a GAMMA! but maybe my question is... mathematically isn't that formula that gives us gamma the reason why we can go faster than the speed of light?
 
  • #93
Paintjunkie said:
sorry I don't have a question its more a GAMMA! but maybe my question is... mathematically isn't that formula that gives us gamma the reason why we can go faster than the speed of light?

I believe so. Also, please don't post "noise". Make sure your posts are relevant to the thread.
 
  • #94
Hello DHFPeople read about Relativity in the newspapers, memorize the 'mc square', hear strange tales about objects getting heavier when they move at close to the speed of light, then bring themselves to ask on Internet forums:
"What does it look like when one is moving with a speed close to the speed of light?" in the same way they might ask in long distance global phone call,
What's the weather down there? Is it hot?;"

Well, it is not so, as explained in more details here:http://www.iei.info/knol/pf/3trm10yysobsi-15-relativity-str-and-gtr-in-three-k.php
 

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