NaNo is here, RF could be the alternative? (beam me-up, spock)
2007-10-12 01:27:53 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
We're a good way off still... :)
Of course, we do 'sort of ' ride electromagnetic radiation today. It's called MagLev (Magnetic Levitation). Train technology... ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_levitation_train
2007-10-12 01:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was one of his "thought experiments" to find out if the laws of physics broke down. It is what lead him to develop the special theory of relativity. He realized if he could ride along on an electromagnetic wave, he would observe a time varying magnetic and an electric field, neither of which had a source which violates Maxwell's equations. So he realized something must be happening to preserve the laws of physics in this extreme limit. It was not meant to be a vision of where technology could go. In fact, special relativity precludes riding along on an EM wave for anything with a non-zero mass. You'd need infinite energy to accelerate to the speed of light,
2007-10-12 01:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by nyphdinmd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't even begin to estimate the amount of energy that would require. Let's work on getting a quantum computer that works first.
2007-10-12 01:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by Duffman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋