Yes, I'd like some real science geeks to help me with this.
Factors:
1) The subject starts from a stand-still (relative to Earth).
2) We assume that even though the subject is gaining in mass as he approaches light-speed that the acceleration doesn’t slow.
3) We assume that the subject could be awake and be able to function reasonably that this g-force (i.e. eat, drink, play video games, change his clothes…)
4) Enlighten me as to what other physical problems might be encountered that I don’t know about.
Thanks!
2007-09-23 10:20:47 · 8 answers · asked by Reality Man 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
speed of light divided by 9.80 m/s^2 = 30,591,067.14 seconds, which is 354 days 1 hour 31 minutes and 7.14 seconds.
That's how long it would take, accelerating at one gee.
Of course, your #2 assumption is impossible, because it would take more and more energy to accelerate the increasing mass (which approaches infinity as the speed approaches c).
If you increased the accelleration to 2 gee it would cut the time in half, but I don't think a person could function well that way.
2007-09-23 10:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by dogwood_lock 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No matter how small or large the acceleration, the velocity would always be increasing and it would just take more or less time to get to any certain speed.
Accelerating at 1g would make the astronauts feel just like they were standing on Earth, so if they have the time (299,800,000 m/s divided by 9.8 m/s = about 354 days) that would be the ideal rate at which to travel.
Of course they would never actually get to light speed because relativity prevents it. The law is always mis-stated as "nothing can ever go faster" than light, when actually it says that "nothing *with mass* can ever go *as fast as* light."
2007-09-23 18:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forever.
For a good explanation, you can read the novel "Tau Zero" by Poul Anderson. But basically, at relativistic speeds the fundamental equation
v = a t
breaks down, because neither time nor distance are constant. From the point of view of an observer on the accelerating spaceship, you approach the speed of light asymtotically: you get closer and closer, but you just never get there.
2007-09-23 19:17:48 · answer #3 · answered by Keith P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember reading something about this. It turns out that at a constant acceleration of about 3 G's, it would take about 6 months to reach light speed.
2007-09-23 17:29:14 · answer #4 · answered by cyswxman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is impossible nothing can move faster than speed of light. Lightspeed would problay make the g-force be over 100 fold more than usual and it will kill you problay at 10 times at most your body function will problay stop from so much strain
2007-09-23 17:31:04 · answer #5 · answered by uneedhelp200 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sorry, your assumptions make your question redundant, you can't ignore the laws of physics and hope for a meaning full answer.
2007-09-23 17:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why ot simply find the highest gforce a human body can tolerate, (which is i think 3g) multiply it by 1g (9,81) and devide the speed of light by it. youll have your answer.
2007-09-23 18:14:17 · answer #7 · answered by mrzwink 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you understand and realize the truth, your light being, your anti-matter, your soul, your aura,becomes or will have a translucent luminous color. and then it can accelerate with the speed of light.
2007-09-23 17:32:33 · answer #8 · answered by quasar 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋