2006-06-07 04:51:15 · 12 answers · asked by Rick 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
ok... this is a good challenge.
Momentum (p) is equal to mass (m) times velocity (v)
P = mv ... this is the classical deffinition
In reality the theory or relitivty says that p = mv / (\gamma)
where \gamma = sqr(1-(v/c)^2)
where c is the speed of light and v is your velocity
now we know that the energy (E) of a body is equal to the momentum squared divided by the mass.
E = (p^2) / m
No let v = c (meaning that the velocity is at the speed of light)
then \gamma = 0
thus p^2 =( m^2 * v^2 ) / 0 = infinity
Thus the energy of that body is infinity.
This means that it would take all the energy that exist in the universe and a more to get a body to move at the speed of light.
If you look at speeds less that the speed of light then \gamma >0
Thus you will have a finite (less than infinity) energy
If your velocity is greater that the speed of light then v/c > 1, and your energy turns out to be a negitive number.
The idea that an object has a negitive value for its energy is something that we do not understand ( we never see it happen) But it could be possible that it COULD happen. We just do not know what would do it, and we do not know how to make such an object.
2006-06-07 06:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by farrell_stu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not possible to go faster than the speed of light, it's not even possible to go exactly the speed of light. Einstein's theory of relativity says that for anything with mass to go the speed of light would require more energy than exists in the universe.
2006-06-07 04:56:01 · answer #2 · answered by Oh Boy! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Einstein it is impossible to go faster than the speed of light.
2006-06-07 04:55:24 · answer #3 · answered by WarLabRat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not impossible to go the speed of light, light goes the speed of light and it does it all the time. It is impossible to go faster.
2006-06-07 04:54:08 · answer #4 · answered by flare7571728 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basic reason for objects not able to move with the speed of light is because the mass of any object increases with its speed; the length decreases with speed and time decreases with speed.
But the variations of these quantities are so small for ordinary speed that the concept was unknown earlier.
But particles are accelerated nearly equal to the speed of light and these variations are demonstrated.
Hence one must first accept the experimental fact that time and length change with speed.
Now the next question is, “What is the link between the speed of light and speed of object? Why these are linked in the theory of relativity?”
Light travels in vacuum. Its speed is the maximum in vacuum. It speed is determined by the permittivity and permeability of vacuum and not by the source.
The above properties are general and they are not the conclusions of theory of relativity.
This constancy of speed of light in vacuum is in no way linked with the variation of length and time of material objects with their speed.
There is much misconception among many in this concept.
The important finding about light is the constancy of its speed measured by a stationary observer and by a moving observer.
This constancy of speed of light compels us to link its magnitude to the speed of the object. (Note the difference between the earlier constant and this constant)
Thus whatever the speed of the observer, he has to measure the speed of light always unchanged.
This is possible only when his speed is less than or equal to the speed of light.
But it can be shown that when an object attains the speed of light,the time becomes zero; the length becomes zero and mass becomes infinite. This is the reason that it is said that no material object can attain the speed of light.
2006-06-07 05:07:55 · answer #5 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not possible to travel the same speed or faster then light.
Only slower, ALOT slwoer
2006-06-07 04:59:02 · answer #6 · answered by itzmgb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who said its not possible to go the speed of light?
There are lots of things that go the speed of light, we just can't control them, but we will....
2006-06-07 04:55:20 · answer #7 · answered by Darby L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to commonly accepted theories, it is impossible to go faster than light.
Probably you mean tachyons, the hypothetical particles which travel faster than light. Tachyon's fast is our world's slow. As our matter cannot accelerate to speed of light, tachyons cannot decelerate to speed of light.
2006-06-07 05:02:48 · answer #8 · answered by ringm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No no, not faster than light. Just slower.
2006-06-07 04:53:18 · answer #9 · answered by Atomin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, actually speed of light refers to distance, not to velocity... That's what I was told but not completely sure...
2006-06-07 04:55:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋