Einstein's theory says that faster than light (FTL) travel is impossible. I would like to think that there are other options which have not been discovered or developed yet. FTL would make interstellar travel so much easier. Has anyone got any strong views?
2006-07-09 20:01:26 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Einsteins equation(apart from e=mc^2) mass of an object will be m/{1-[v/c]^2}^1/2(sorry,but theres no other way i can put this equation)here v is the velocity of object and v the velocity of light)when an object travels at the speed of light v and c get canceled.naturally 1-1=0 so the mass of the object will become infinite.apart from that e=mc^2 also explains a lot..according to that equation u will have to have infinite energy to travel at the velocity of c..photons travel at the velocity of light because they have no mass.so practically if u don't have mass u can travel at the speed of light,which i suppose is not possible for us.
so its not possible to travel at he speed of light.
but if u are asking for some hidden possibilities,scientists would have found out by now..so we can be sure no one can travel at the speed of c
2006-07-10 00:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by albert einstein 1 · 5⤊ 3⤋
It depends on what you consider travel.
If you do not alter the space-time, then no, it is not possible.
However, there is a theory that if you were able to bend the space so that the point you are trying to reach becomes closer, go to that place, and then bring the space back to normal then you would have traveled to that point faster than you would in the traditional sense.
If possible, this method would make it possible to travel to another area faster than light would have. However, if you are next to a photon and you take the same path as it, it would be impossible to beat it since your mass increases the faster you go. Eventually, your mass would be infinite and you would need infinite energy to travel at the speed of light, much less surpass it.
2006-07-10 03:09:49 · answer #2 · answered by polloloco.rb67 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To travel at the speed of light and to be light are one and the same.
If you were traveling at the speed of light then you would be light, and even if you were traveling faster than the speed of light you would still be light, just traveling faster.
The speed of light is just a threshold at which something becomes what we call light. Your question is like asking if you can go faster than the fastest thing in the world. If you went faster than the fastest thing in the world then you would be the fastest thing in the world.
Once you achieve a certain speed your state of being transforms.
There is some evidence out there that the speed of light has decreased through time, but even when light went faster it was still light.
Light is the only manifestation that can travel at that speed, so once again, you might be able to go faster than light, but then you would have turned into light.
2006-07-10 03:17:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sci Fi has a lot of options suggested, but so far I think it's not possible. The way it could work, considering that Einstein's has been well proved, is that there are some "shortcuts" (some call them wormholes, or something like that) or there is some "hyperspace" that is sort of parallel or surrounding our space, and a (spaceship) could go there and re-enter our universe at a selected point that is a lot farther than what can be travelled for the same time at the speed of light.
2006-07-10 03:11:16 · answer #4 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a theory stands because it has yet to be disproven. perhaps its possible for ftl travel to take place. someone will have to figure out that whether and how its possible in the realm of maths and physics first. then the engineers will have to design a machine for such a purpose. however, right now no one is sure whether the human body can withstand travellling FTL. (personally, i don't think so.)
perhaps there are other ways to travel around the galaxy. maybe via black holes? no one knows where they "lead" yet.
2006-07-10 03:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by curi05ity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theory if you travel faster than the speed of light you would arrive at you destination before you actually left for it. therefore disappearing up your ***** As I tend to experience this on a daily basis work rush hour school runs etc take it from me its not recommended.
2006-07-10 05:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by miamivice666 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Recall that Einstein showed that the speed of light is the maximum speed at which information can travel. Since you and your spaceship contain information, you cannot exceed the speed of light.
2006-07-10 03:47:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably no. We will have to undergo substantial advancement before something like that can happen. Moving back in time, and change in matter at such speed, these questions are best considered in theory only
2006-07-10 03:09:11 · answer #8 · answered by mkaamsel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-07-11 14:56:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answer is simple no.When an object approaches the speed of light it's relative mass increases and when it equals the speed of light it's relative mass gets infinite ,Accelerating an object with an infinite mass more then the speed of light is impossible
2006-07-10 03:37:21 · answer #10 · answered by jackdaripper 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋