What Happens If a Spaceship Exceeds the Speed of Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of a spaceship exceeding the speed of light, exploring the implications and interpretations of such a concept. Participants engage in various perspectives regarding the validity and consequences of superluminal travel.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the validity of the scenario, suggesting it is akin to asking what exists outside the universe, implying the question lacks meaning.
  • Others propose that if a spaceship were to exceed the speed of light, it would experience compression to zero length, a halt in internal time, and an increase to infinite mass, arguing that these outcomes indicate superluminal speed is impossible.
  • A participant humorously suggests that exceeding the speed of light would result in the spaceship turning into pink unicorns, emphasizing the absurdity of the question.
  • One participant reiterates the impossibility of superluminal speed, referencing earlier claims made in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the validity of the question itself and the implications of exceeding the speed of light, with some asserting it is a meaningless question while others explore theoretical consequences.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of light speed and its implications, with no consensus on the interpretation of superluminal travel or its feasibility.

Mr. Paradox
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I'm not exactly sure but I want to know, what would happen if a spaceship was to exceed the speed of light?
 
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It would turn into pink unicorns. You can't go faster than light to it's an invalid question.
 
Mr. Paradox said:
I'm not exactly sure but I want to know, what would happen if a spaceship was to exceed the speed of light?

The question you asked is comparable to the question "What is outside our universe?”

The question has no meaning. Stephen Hawking compared it to asking, “What is north of the North Pole?".
 
Mr. Paradox said:
I'm not exactly sure but I want to know, what would happen if a spaceship was to exceed the speed of light?

It would be compressed to zero length, its internal time would stop, and it would have infinite mass.

Since these things cannot happen, it should be clear that superluminal speed is not possible.
 
Jack21222 said:
It would be compressed to zero length, its internal time would stop, and it would have infinite mass.

Since these things cannot happen, it should be clear that superluminal speed is not possible.

No, the correct answer was given in the first post.

Thread closed.
 

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