What's the Delay with a Wire to a Planet 1 Light Year Away?

AI Thread Summary
A wireless phone call to a planet 1 light year away would have a lag of one year, as signals travel at the speed of light. Using a wire would introduce an additional delay, as transmission through a wire is slower than light speed. This means that even with a direct connection, the time taken for the signal to travel would still be significant. The discussion highlights that information cannot travel faster than the speed of light, regardless of the medium used. Ultimately, any communication with a distant planet would involve substantial delays.
IssacBinary
Messages
93
Reaction score
0
If we where to make a wireless phone call to a planet 1 light year away the lag/time delay would be 1 year.

They would have to wait 1 year to hear what we say today.

But if we used a long (long is an understatement) piece of wire connecting the 2 phones, what kind of delay would there be if any and why?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Transmission along a wire would be slower. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_propagation_speed"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Information can never travel faster than the speed of light.
 
Doc Al said:
Transmission along a wire would be slower. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_propagation_speed"

I think energy is transmitted through the wire at the speed of greased lightning.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Fun Value said:
I think energy is transmitted through the wire at the speed of greased lightning.

not exactly a scientific response ;)

D
 

Thread 'The Physics of unloading sand from a barge'

I think it's easist first to watch a short vidio clip I find these videos very relaxing to watch .. I got to thinking is this being done in the most efficient way? The sand has to be suspended in the water to move it to the outlet ... The faster the water , the more turbulance and the sand stays suspended, so it seems to me the rule of thumb is the hose be aimed towards the outlet at all times .. Many times the workers hit the sand directly which will greatly reduce the water...
View full post »

Similar threads

B How would light work on a mirror very far away?
Replies
11
Views
1K
B Switch-to-lightbulb wire delay
Replies
5
Views
2K
B Can Push Travel Faster Than Light?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Interferometer delay & line light spreading
Replies
2
Views
1K
I How Does Special Relativity Affect Perceived Distances Between Planets?
3
Replies
101
Views
4K
I How do telescopes allow us to see light sources millions of light years away?
Replies
3
Views
2K
A Is delayed choice remote entanglement of photons derived from TDSE?
2
Replies
58
Views
4K
B Does Force Travel Faster Than Light?
Replies
8
Views
3K
I Field outside of a straight wire
Replies
12
Views
3K
B Is the Kink in the Electromagnetic Wave Responsible for Delayed Motion?
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top