2006-09-01 10:31:34 · 18 answers · asked by sean_striker 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
You'd be a tachyon and have either negative or imaginary mass. Light's a minor nuisance if you can't figure out what your mass is.
2006-09-01 10:38:02 · answer #1 · answered by zandyandi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. The big issue and misconception with the speed of light is as you approach it, according to a very important factor in relativistic mechanics (The Einstein / Lorentz stuff), called the Lorentz factor, mass seems to tend to infinity as well as time seems to undergo a dilation effect and length in the direction of motion seems to contract.
However, the important thing to remember here is the foundations of these arguements. They all depend upon the calculations of a French (?) mathematician called Lorentz which were finally fully realised in physical forms by Einstein in the early 1900's. This is more commonly known as the General Theory of Relativity (special relativity is just a simplified version of this). In this all calculations depend upon taking frames of reference.
A good example is say you were on a train travellingfor arguements sake at the speed of light. An observer on a train platform (which we will simply denote as the stationary outside world of the train), will (if he could) observe the train travelling at the speed of light. However, assumming the train was travelling constantly at the velocity of light (same speed and direction), then the person on the train would feel stationary.
Now supose the guy on the train (Bill) shon a torch towards the front of the train. You could argue that the light from the torch was now travelling at twice the speed of light. Or if you cant travel beyond the speed of light, then the light from the torch couldnt escape the torch and the torch would eventually burn up. So whats true?
Again its tricks with taking Frames of Reference. Using relativity, Bill will see the torch shine as usual towards the front of the train. The platform observer (Harry) however will see the light from the torch travelling at the same speed as the train (If I recall correct.. check the math). Either way, the velocity of light barrier is not violated.
However, the Lorentz factor is not violated BEYOND the speed of light. That is to say that if you are initially travelling faster than the speed of light (ie Tachyons), then in theory I suppose you could accelerate. However, I'm not quite sure how well the Lorentz / Einstein relativity equations would hold up under space contraction and time dilation effects at these velocities. IT's been a while since I played with this.
So would it always be dark? No, I dont think so. At those speeds you'd be most likely in a vessel of some sort which you could take as your frame of reference and since time dilation / space contraction occurs from an outside observers frame of reference (which is travelling at a slower / relatively staionary velocity (need third reference point)), you would not experience anything unusual to what you are now (assuming zero acceleration here).
So as long as you've got the light turned on.. it shouldnt be dark.
Wow.. been a while since I dragged those equations outta my brain and its late so may be a bit rusty in my explanation here so take heed. Your best bet is to look up the Einstein / Lorentz equations and look into general relativity.. you know.. on those idol tuesday evenings. Wikipedia as always os a good place to start, and theres tons of literature available on the subject everywhere... Steven Hawking churnned out a couple of decent books that simplified the matter I believe.. try there.
2006-09-01 19:59:02 · answer #2 · answered by frohike47 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Light comes from different sources and travels in all directions. You would only be able to travel in one direction.
If you travel faster than the speed of sound, you won't be in silence for the same reason.
2006-09-01 17:40:14 · answer #3 · answered by q_midori 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
But if you could travel faster than dark, where would you be then?
2006-09-02 00:57:06 · answer #4 · answered by pauld81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
techinlly if you were accelerated to faster than light, (under the idea that you wernt killed by the g-force) you would suffer time stretching as you would be observig things well aftr or before they happen - but then again its all still pure theory, and star trek is aload of trash for info on theoritical science - its all made up.
2006-09-01 17:40:25 · answer #5 · answered by roxerguy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you would be, if you could travel faster than light in our 4 dimensional universe.
2006-09-01 17:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by joseFFF 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no as everyone knows that the speed of dark is faster as it is always there before the light!
2006-09-01 17:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by camshy0078 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Santa Claus travels much faster than light, and he can always see where he's going by the light of Rudolph's nose.
2006-09-01 17:41:17 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. E 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I refer you to the previous 1 million times this question has been asked and answered.
It seems you are going to be permanently in the dark even at normal speeds!
2006-09-01 20:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by narkypoon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you had a light bulb hanging in front of your face, the light would be washing over you.
2006-09-01 17:42:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋