2007-10-12 05:20:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Everything we know about mechanics leads us to believe that yes, c, is the absolute speed limit.
2007-10-12 05:48:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes and No.
Under the normal rules of the universe, the speed of light, in a vacuum, is the maximum speed. It is practically definitional to the theory of General Relativity and our current understanding of the macroscopic universe.
But quantum mechanics is all about probabilities. It says that there is a small probability of finding a particle ahead of where it would be if it were traveling at the speed of light. It also has some "strange" solutions for paired particles which makes it seems as if they "communicate" at a speed faster than light. It also allows black holes to "radiate" energy even though not even light can escape a black hole.
2007-10-14 17:40:45 · answer #2 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When traveling at the speed of light, time has completely stopped for anyone else observing you. Therefore, if you are standing 5m from someone who's looking at you, and then you travel at the speed of light towards them so that now you're standing 1m from them, they will see you at 5m, then you will instantly appear 1m from them. They will not see you move or anything (assuming there was no acceleration or deceleration, since those are not important right now).
This is essentially evidence that the speed of light is the limit of all speeds. We cannot think of a speed that is greater than the speed of light. We cannot even reach anywhere close to the speed of light. It is an extremely vast speed. The closer one approaches the speed of light, the more mass they gain, and the more force is required to push them along. When you reach the speed of light, you will have an infinite mass, and you will need an infinite force to push you along. However, you cannot have an infinite mass to begin with, and even if you did, you could not get an infinite force to push you along.
I hope this makes sense, it's a little tricky, and it's mainly theoretical, so it's nothing that you're going to need to know unless it's for a degree or something. But it's always fun to know something about it.
By the way, the speed of light, c, is 299,792,458m/s (meters per second), and 983,571,056ft/s (feet per second) in a vacuum.
2007-10-12 20:56:44 · answer #3 · answered by IIDeMoNII 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Consider this: You have two beams of light, firing in opposite directions. What would their speed of separation be from one another? Wouldn't it be twice the speed of light, relative to the fact that they are travelling in opposite directions? I am sure that with each law, there has to be an exception. Just because we cannot grasp it doesn't mean it isnt so. Arrogance and fools go well with one another.
2007-10-16 00:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by sportsman72901 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light is the fastest thing that the human beings know of. So the answer is yes, for the simple fact that there is nothing that we know of that can go faster so if you cannot relate to anything else then you have no evidence that there is anything faster.
Nobody knows if there is a speed faster because it has not been discovered, and until, if at all, it is discovered, then the speed of light will be the fastest speed.
Hpe this helps.
2007-10-12 12:34:15 · answer #5 · answered by Dr OXO 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, it can't be. Whatever the general theory of relativity might suggest, it must be borne in mind that nothing is absolute. Physics books are written only to be re-written. Hence, even the absolute temperature concept has to bide adieu. It may be possible that in 'some' circumstances lights' speed may be more than predicted. We must be observant and open to ideas. Just wait and watch, you will see things unfold before your own eyes. NOTHING is absolute, however un-physics it may sound.
2007-10-12 12:45:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
In vacuo (in a vacuum), yes
2007-10-12 12:24:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋