Given that there is no gravity in space, with unlimited propulsion and unlimited time, is it possible to accelerate a given object to the speed of light?
2006-07-26 01:44:17 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
We have never seen anything go faster than light. Nothing. Ever. The problem is that the mass gets larger as you approach the speed of light in such a way that it would require an infinite amount of energy to get to the speed of light. The way that the mass increases has been verified in particle accelerators where we accelerate protons and electrons to very close to the speed of light (to within .00001%). They way these particles act at these speeds matches the predictions of special relativity, which predicts that increase of mass and also that it is impossible to go faster than light.
Answer to your question: NO.
2006-07-26 04:42:45 · answer #1 · answered by mathematician 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. The theory says that as an object's velocity gets closer to the speed of light, its mass increases. In theory, its mass would be infinite if it did reach the speed of light. Infinite mass would require infinite energy to accelerate.
Relativistic mass is gamma times the rest mass. Rest mass is mass while not moving. Gamma is 1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2). If v much less than c (the speed of light) then gamma is about 1. This is true for all everyday situations, like driving a car or even a space craft flying at 30,000 mph. If v is almost c, then gamma is really big, but if v is actually equal to c, then gamma is 1/0. And if v is greater than c, then gamma is the square root of a negative number, or an imaginary number. So it is theory and not technology that says no mass can go faster than, or even as fast as, the speed of light. Light can go as fast as light because it has no mass.
2006-07-26 02:01:02 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing is as you near the speed of light, the mass of the object increases, meaning more energy is needed to push it along. It may be done, but not with out current technology.
2006-07-26 01:48:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. This is because as you get to a higher and higher velocity, you require more and more energy to reach the speed of light, until you reach an infinite amount of energy. It will take an infinite amount of time, therefore you will reach the speed of light in an infinite amount of time, in other words, you will never reach the speed of light.
2006-07-26 02:46:44 · answer #4 · answered by Science_Guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, we cannot travel with the velocity of light. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, when a body travels with the velocity of light, its mass will increase and its length will decrease by the factor called Lorentz-fitzgerald value. It is equal, sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)
According to Einstein,
To accelerate a body with the velocity of light, we need infinite amount of energy. Whereas, according to the law of thermodynamics, the amount of energy present in this universe is finite. So we cannot travel with the velocity.
2006-07-26 02:30:14 · answer #5 · answered by s s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you assume that the speed of light is a maximum. I dont believe it is. Perfect speed is being at that place instantaneously. I believe in time when we fully comprehend the numerous dimensions of space that we will not see ourselves or the universe as limited.
2006-07-26 01:50:42 · answer #6 · answered by southforty1961 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are forgetting the variables like interstellar winds and gravitational fields of stars and planets. Pluto is 3.5 billion miles from the sun and it still being manipulated into an orbit by the sun
2006-07-29 12:02:15 · answer #7 · answered by charles w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like the other answerers have pointed out getting faster and faster would increase ur mass, which in turn you need more fuel to propel that increased mass faster, thus increasing ur mass more and more. its impossible by todays standards.
2006-07-26 08:26:51 · answer #8 · answered by dr_jeckyl1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Its not possible not in any case
2006-07-26 03:51:44 · answer #9 · answered by Vihnu_cool 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because you cannot have infinite mass.
2006-07-26 01:49:04 · answer #10 · answered by synchronicity915 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋