Travelling faster than speed of light

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Traveling faster than the speed of light is not feasible according to Einstein's theory of relativity, which has consistently withstood empirical testing. However, Miguel Alcubierre proposed a theoretical model involving a warp bubble that could allow for faster-than-light travel by manipulating the fabric of space-time. This model presents significant challenges, including the requirement for negative mass matter, which has yet to be observed or created, and the lack of mathematical frameworks for the formation or dissipation of such a warp bubble.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of warp bubbles
  • Basic knowledge of negative mass matter
  • Mathematics related to general relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Alcubierre drive and its implications for theoretical physics
  • Explore the concept of negative mass and its potential existence
  • Study general relativity and its mathematical foundations
  • Investigate current advancements in warp drive theories and related technologies
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, theoretical researchers, and science enthusiasts interested in advanced concepts of space-time and the possibilities of faster-than-light travel.

shivakumar06
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
can we in theory travel faster than light?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
shivakumar06 said:
can we in theory travel faster than light?
No..
 
Debatable.

Not in the conventional sense, by accelerating with a rocket. Einstein's relativity theory says that you can't accelerate to lightspeed, and the theory has passed every test we've thrown at it.

However, a man called Alcubierre developed a possible loophole. He found a solution to Einstein's equations that described a warp bubble (no, Scotty, I am not joking). You don't move, but you arrange for the patch of space-time around you to move faster than light. There are two problems that I am aware of. One, you need negative mass matter and we've never seen that, nor do we have any idea if it's possible to create. Two, the maths describes a warp bubble already in existence. We have no maths to describe a warp bubble forming or dissipating, and there is some doubt as to whether or not such maths is even possible.

All warp-related scholarship from Wikipedia and the maths is way above my head, so health warnings abound.
 

Similar threads

High School c^2 in Einstein‘s theory of relativity
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Let me ask a thing about the Speed of Light
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Light Speed in Dense Medium: Explained
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad One way speed of light
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
1K
Undergrad Why do we still say “the speed of light” instead of “c”?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
High School Time Travel: Can Humans Go Faster Than Ordinary Speed?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School One-Way Speed of Light
  • · Replies 93 ·
4
Replies
93
Views
6K
High School Can Curved Spacetime Enable Faster-Than-Light Travel?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Undergrad Why is there nothing faster than light?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School Would We See the Same Light After Traveling Back to Earth Faster Than Light?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K