travel faster than c? assume I have an understanding of basic physics and calculus, as well as a fundamental overview of elementary particle theory.
2007-03-16 14:46:18 · 3 answers · asked by Jay Z 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
A tachyon is a theoretical particle that moves faster then light. Tachyons are said to move backward in time. so as they slow down to the speed of light time from the tachyon's perspective would stop. so for a tachyon it would need infinite energy to slow down to the speed of light. So as it loses energy it gains speed and moves faster backwards in time.
2007-03-16 14:59:26 · answer #1 · answered by volcanoone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no known particles that can travel faster than the speed of light.
E = (mc^2)/Sqrt(1-v^2/c^2) where v is the velcity of the particle. If the velocity is great than the speed of light (c) then the energy would be an imaginary number.
2007-03-16 23:14:56 · answer #2 · answered by mr.quark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a theoretical particle called a 'tachyon' which cannot travel slower than c. But it has an inaginary mass and imaginary energy and no one has ever observed one.
Doug
2007-03-16 23:18:11 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋