If you take a object and spin it, it's outer edges travel faster than it's center. You can see this by grabbing a broom stick and extending it outward then start spinning in one spot. The other end of the broomstick travels further in a circle than you do, but makes the journey in the same amount of time. If we were in space and could get a broom stick to start spinning, but we kept adding more length to the stick, could the end of the broom stick eventually reach the speed of light? And, to bring up a subject from my last question. If time stops for a object traveling at the speed of light, what happens to that object if only part of it is traveling at the speed of light? Does it break in two? Or would the end of the broomstick traveling at the speed of light remain attached to the rest of the stick?
2007-01-14 15:37:26 · 9 answers · asked by jedi1josh 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Well, the straight answer is yes, it could approach light speed (watch out for *that* broom handle). The disappointing part that is missing though is that it would still require the same effort/work/energy as driving an object in a straight line towards the speed of light - in actually, more since two sides of the broom handle moving that fast. (if you're only swinging one side, you'll have to have one heck of a counter weight for balance) This is because as you add the length you are also adding mass to the object. This is a little deceiving I'm sure since you are thinking that since the center is moving at a slower speed, you would need less force, but force is related to mass and acceleration.
Also, time doesn't stop. Each part of the broom would experience the movement slightly differently because of the time dilation but assuming you have rigid body mechanics (which is not very realistic with non-newtonian physics) you have constant angular velocity so no breakage. However, considering that you would most likely not have rigid body mechanics it would be much more like swinging a piece of string.
2007-01-14 16:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We'll use the galaxy that rotates uniformly. A large enough galaxy with the center rotating near the speed of light will have sheared off some of its arms and returned the 'vaporized' material to the Quantum. Conservation is still observed even when Relativity attempts to trump it.
2016-03-28 22:10:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Discounting mass increase and time dilation from relativity - the answer is yes.
Mathematically, you would need a length equal to the radius of a circle with a diameter of approximately 186,000 miles and rotated once every second.
Now that's a thought experiment that won't be carried out in reality very soon.
2007-01-14 15:50:23 · answer #3 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its possible, but I am not sure, if the outer edges will still remain intact or convert to energy. I am also not sure, if we can add so much energy to the object to spin it.
2007-01-14 16:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by apollo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No object with mass can get to light speed. Photons, particles of light, have momentum but no mass so they can do it.
2007-01-14 15:44:13 · answer #5 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
You would introduce shear forces that would ultimately break the handle.
2007-01-14 19:50:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it will slow as you add length
2007-01-14 15:49:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you can add infinite length.
2007-01-14 15:44:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No.
2007-01-14 15:42:34 · answer #9 · answered by catarthur 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋