- #1
Zero-G
- 4
- 0
Has anyone ever wondered how life would be different if light could only travel at 50km/hr?
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SUMMARY
This discussion explores the hypothetical scenario where light travels at only 50 km/h, leading to significant implications for life, technology, and physics. Participants note that such a speed would render space travel impossible due to the escape velocity of Earth exceeding the speed of light. Additionally, the effects of relativity would become more pronounced, and everyday technologies like computers and the internet would operate at drastically reduced speeds, fundamentally altering human experience and interaction. References to Lena Hau's research on light speed in atomic gases highlight the complexities of light behavior under different conditions.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly relativity.
- Familiarity with the speed of light and its implications in physics.
- Knowledge of light behavior in atomic gases, specifically related to Lena Hau's research.
- Awareness of the impact of speed on technology and communication.
- Research the principles of relativity and their implications on speed limits in physics.
- Explore Lena Hau's work on slowing light in atomic gases and its applications.
- Investigate the effects of speed on technology, particularly in communication systems.
- Examine the concept of escape velocity and its significance in space travel.
This discussion is beneficial for physicists, science fiction writers, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light and its impact on technology and life as we know it.
- #2
Moonbear
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Nope, definitely not something I ever thought about. 
- #3
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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Yes I have. Then i thoguth of something else.
- #4
moose
- 556
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Life probably wouldn't exist, just think of how close we would still be to all other matter in the universe...
- #5
Mk
- 2,039
- 4
There's this whole website about that, it has flash models of blinking streetlamps and moving streetcars, and what they would look like if light were different speeds.
Its good.
Its good.
- #6
matthyaouw
Gold Member
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Cars traveling at 60 would be very accident prone.
- #7
Mk
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Well, the speed limit's already 50, so they're speeding.
- #8
Zero-G
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If light could only travel at 50km/hr, then this is a maximum speed and hence nothing can travel faster than it. I am guessing that the effects of relativity would become much more noticeable and space travel would be impossible because the escape velocity of the Earth would exceed the speed of light. As for computers, internet, mobile phones or anything else electronic, they'd be so slow that 'patience' would get a whole new meaning.
- #9
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I hate to break this to you, but light can already travel at 7 m/s, or even 0 m/s! Lena Hau has done tons of work on this. The caveat, of course, is that these are all in atomic gasses that has been EM-induced to be transparent.
Why did you post this in GD? You wish to receive creative and amusing answers? The crackpot rules... er... I mean Posting Guidelines still apply even in GD.
Zz.
Why did you post this in GD? You wish to receive creative and amusing answers? The crackpot rules... er... I mean Posting Guidelines still apply even in GD.
Zz.
- #10
matthyaouw
Gold Member
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Mk said:
Pssh, the speed limit on motorways is 70mph here
- #11
Andy
- 73
- 14
70mph if your a big fat truck, a caravan or just a big sissy girl. To anyone else its at least 90mph.
- #12
Integral
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