2006-07-08 08:37:27 · 12 answers · asked by Jon S. 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
According to Einstein, no.
His Special Theory of Relativity started with two postulates (or assumptions): 1) that the laws of physics are observed to be the same in any non-accelerated “reference frame” and 2) that the speed of light (c) is observed to be the same for all observers.
The first assumption basically says that as long as you’re traveling at a constant speed, all your experiments will give the same results. That seems reasonable. But the thing about the speed of light always being the same sounds a little odd: the Michelson-Morley experiment (and others) had detected no change in the speed of light when measured from a moving frame of reference, however, and a set of equations called “Maxwell’s Equations” yield a specific value for the velocity of light, which turns out to be c. (When Einstein considered Maxwell’s Equations, he realized that they don’t allow for a “standing wave” solution, which is what a light wave would look like if you were travelling at the speed of light. So he already sensed there would be a problem with travelling at very high speeds.)
Indeed, when you start with Einstein’s assumptions and re-work the addition of velocities, it comes out to be not simple addition, but a fraction that never gets larger than c.
Thus, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. Not very satisfying, I know, since the explanation basically relies on pointing to a formula and saying, “Look, it never gets larger than c,” but sometimes physics is all about the formula.
Ryan Wyatt
Rose Center for Earth & Space
New York, New York
2006-07-08 09:02:54 · answer #1 · answered by ryan_j_wyatt 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The TACHYON is a hypothetical particle which could go faster than light. It is only theoretical and many scientists don't agree with it's existence. (Nor do I.) It has never been found obviously. They still need to find a Graviton (Gravity particle) and the Higgs Boson. (Which might be discovered next year when CERN fires back up and goes on line after upgrades.) As of now...based on E=MC2, nothing can travel faster than light which is 186,281.7 Miles per second Exactly. Light or "Photons" contain ZERO mass, and can therefore go maximum speed. I predict that they WILL find the Higgs and then the Graviton, but NEVER a Tachyon particle. (We will see.)
2006-07-08 09:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Smart Dude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you see to the stars and move your sight from a star to another, you cover and arc that can be hundreds of light years in just a second.
But speed of light is an absolute measure. There can not be a relative speed like when two cars running at 50 miles an hour in opposite direction, they will approach to or move away from at 100 miles an hour of each other.
If the tips of two light beams cross with each other, the moving away speed from each other won't surpass the speed of light.
2006-07-08 09:04:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say that you were on an escalator (the horizontal kind commonly found in airports). The escalator was going the speed of light. You decieded to run on the escaltor, which was going the speed of light. In theory, you were running faster than the speed of light. However to run faster than the speed of light you'd need an infinite amount of force to run faster than the speed of light. Since it's an infinite amount of force, which can never be reached, you cannot go faster than the speed of light.
2006-07-08 08:50:00 · answer #4 · answered by Marilynne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There might be some way of traveling faster than that without running into the barrier of space's fabric/shape in order to get from point A to B, perhaps even without the passing of time. Theories are changing with new discoveries and new experiments, new methods, but at the moment it looks impossible.
2006-07-08 08:46:29 · answer #5 · answered by too_live_forever 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speed Of Light 186000
2017-02-24 11:03:43 · answer #6 · answered by fankhauser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not Really, For inour Present Dimension, Your Mass Goes to infinity. however if u encapsulate the craft by space of a different dimension, then its possible to go at warp speeds, the only thing in our present universe that can do warp speeds is the speed of thought
2006-07-08 10:36:09 · answer #7 · answered by savvy s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but we wouldn't be able to detect it if something did go faster than the speed of light.
2006-07-08 08:41:39 · answer #8 · answered by Jill W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.
As mass travels faster it grows
as the speed of light is approached all energy put into create speed becomes more mass.
what i find funny is that all matteris energy slowed and yet when at the speed of light energy becomes more matter!!! go figure
2006-07-08 08:55:51 · answer #9 · answered by JCCCMA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. Do you mean people? Atoms would split and you would like... Stop existing....
Altough,I've heard that electrons move faster than light spead,but I don't know a lot about it...
2006-07-08 08:43:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋