2007-04-08 15:01:19 · 6 answers · asked by curio 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
As an object gets close to the speed of light, it takes more and more and more energy to increase its velocity. As it turns out, the velocity approaches c asymptotically as the energy input goes to infinity. So we just never can quite get there no matter how much energy we put in. (Except for massless objects, which always travel AT the speed of light).
2007-04-08 15:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The axioms of special relativity are that space-time is homogeneous, isotropic, and time invariant and that the speed of light in vacuum is the same in all reference frames. The speed of light being a limiting speed is a kinematic implication of SR for the reasons given in the first two posts. As to why the axioms of SR are approximately valid (you have to ignore gravity), and why the speed of light just happens to be what it is have no explanation at present. That's what makes them axioms.
2007-04-08 15:20:17 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Einstein's relativity showed that if any 'thing' could somehow get up to the speed of light it would require infinite energy to get it going that fast (..all the energy in the universe..) and once it got up to the speed of light the object would have infinite mass (..all the mass in the universe..) Clearly neither condition is possible.
2007-04-08 15:19:08 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cant go faster than it. The closer you get to light, the harder it gets to increase your speed. This increases exponentially, eventually making it so that it takes an infinite amount of energy to go the speed of light. No one has infinite energy.
2007-04-08 15:05:39 · answer #4 · answered by carl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because as far as we know nothing travels faster than the speed of light.
Although there have been theories on the speed of gravity
2007-04-08 15:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I understand, no longer something can struggle via area swifter than easy velocity. yet area itself can strengthen at any value. there's a distinction there someplace. i've got confidence it fairly is sensible to the scientists. from time to time an nicely-known concept does not make numerous experience to scientists regardless of the undeniable fact that it is the only rationalization that seems to in wonderful condition the data. .
2016-10-21 09:42:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋