Traveling at the Speed of Light

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of traveling at the speed of light, particularly focusing on the implications of relativistic mass and energy requirements as one approaches light speed. Participants explore theoretical aspects and seek clarification on the relationship between speed, mass, and energy in the context of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references Hawking's assertion that achieving the speed of light would result in infinite mass, questioning the simplicity of this explanation.
  • Another participant agrees that the concept is not simple but aligns with the idea that mass increases with speed.
  • A participant seeks clarification on whether mass increases as speed increases, prompting a response that indicates the traveler does not observe a change in their own mass.
  • It is proposed that an infinite amount of energy would be required to reach the speed of light.
  • A detailed explanation is provided suggesting that as an object approaches the speed of light, the energy input contributes to an increase in inertia, making further acceleration increasingly difficult.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of the concepts, with some agreeing on the relationship between speed and mass while others seek further clarification. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the simplicity of the explanation or the nuances of mass change.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of mass and energy, as well as the assumptions underlying the explanations provided. The relationship between relativistic effects and the observer's perspective remains unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the fundamentals of relativity, the nature of mass and energy, and those seeking clarification on concepts related to traveling at the speed of light.

Andrewjh07
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In A brief History of Time, Hawking says that it is impossible for us to go the speed of light because if we were able to go that speed our mass would be infinite...or something like that. Is it really just as simple as that? Or was there something I misunderstood? Sorry if it is a dumb question...I am a first time poster. Thanks!
 
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So put simply, as you move faster, your mass becomes bigger? Why is that?
 
Andrewjh07 said:
So put simply, as you move faster, your mass becomes bigger? Why is that?

No, as the traveler you observe no change in mass.
 
because it would take an infinite number of energy to make that happen.
 
A simple explanation of why "mass" increases as your speed approaches the speed of light is this:

To make thing simple, let's just accept that nothing can move faster than the speed of light. So imagine you are putting a constant amount of energy into an object to make it go faster. Of course, eventually you get close to the speed of light, but you cannot keep speeding up indefinitely or else your speed would exceed that of light! But, you are still putting in energy at the same rate. So, where does the energy you are putting in go? Effectively, it goes into the inertia, or mass, of the object, making it progressively harder and harder to increase it's velocity with the same amount of energy.
 

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