Let's say I built a time machine and travelled back in time to, lets say 10 years before I was born. I find my mother and kill her. Is this possible? I believe it isn't. That would mean she never gave birth to me. Therefore, how could I kill her? In fact, how could I exist at all to have built a time machine?
2007-10-22 04:40:19 · 12 answers · asked by Pink Panther 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
There's a theory that says, sure, you can go back and kill her. But, you can't travel *to the same universe as where you started.* So, you've eliminated the chance of a parallel YOU from being born, and since you're here, that means no one went back in time to YOUR universe to do the same.
2007-10-22 04:44:53 · answer #1 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a variation of "The grandfather paradox".If you thought it up yourself,good for you,seriously.But it is an old and well known paradox of time travel.There are many theories,nobody really understands exactly WHAT time is.Some speculate that by going,you immediately would branch into a parallel universe.Another theory is that,if you went back,for whatever reason,it would be impossible for you to accomplish the feat.I think physical travel into the past is impossible because it would appear to violate the principle of conservation of matter,which states matter can neither be created nor destroyed,only change form.If someone were to go back to an earlier period of their life,for example.The "early"version of you exists there.For your matter to exist means the same atoms would have to exist twice at the same time,in your "early version"and in your "time traveler"version.In effect "creating matter"this is also an impossibility.It would help if we really understood time,we can measure it,we can call it "the 4th dimension"we may define it as "the interval between two events"All these dance around the issue that we really don't know what,or why,time is
2007-10-22 05:07:16 · answer #2 · answered by nobodinoze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an old paradox (originally called the 'Grandfather' paradox), but the same interpretation of Einsteins General Relativity that 'kinda sorta' says that 'maybe' time travel could be done also indicates that the energy required to actually travel along the time axis would be several orders of magnitude greater than what's released by a supernova when it blows.
That kind of engineering will probably be a bit past us for some time to come âº
Doug
2007-10-22 05:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't prove time travel is impossible. It just proves you will never build a time machine and go back in time to kill your mother.
Einstein's theory includes a theory that states time travel is impossible. But Einstein didn't know about quarks and string theory and what not.
I think the jury is out and will remain out until someone actually demonstrates it.
2007-10-22 04:49:58 · answer #4 · answered by jplrvflyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time travel is definitely impossible. Remember that the earth is moving at thousands of miles per hour. If you went back in time by 1 hour you would be out in space by 1000 miles. Where would the energy come from to lift you 1000 miles. There are many paradoxes
2007-10-22 05:10:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This paradox has been well known ever since HG Wells wrote "The time machine". Time travel is a great topic for science fiction novels. There is absolutely no reason to believe that it is actually possible.
2007-10-22 04:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Impossible to go back in time.Suppose you did and then moved to a different place and stayed there.. then time would move forward to today and then you would have to be in 2 places at the same time. Everyone is travelling forward in time at the rate of 60 minutes per hour.
2007-10-22 06:25:17 · answer #7 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem with time travel is that time is a construct we created to define the progression of entropy. Time travel would be possible if you have enough energy and a system outside of the universe to add entropy to.
2007-10-22 05:58:33 · answer #8 · answered by Brian S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love science everything... someday who will make travel of time.. possible will exist it in future but (1) one thing of problem for "soul of time" Born to Death.. Will error of time and human.. will fall of any reiligious of world if passed exist time machine... (2) if who ride in time machine to go past when born "not existed" over past past them mother will feel funny and will change other path other guy get pregency it is human error.. Who is top secret will arrest to unknown who ride time machine and destory them save of history process than mess up... No idea "time machine" will make it or not... I know someone who want create will lot of dangerous person "simple" who is idea and want ride time machine to past met to Adolf Hilter alive let him which is alles war and wipe them destory and Nazi won any world... or other list of try change any history... It cheat!! That is not good idea..
2007-10-22 05:04:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am of the belief that once something has happened, it's over. I know it's a very simple theory but it rules out time travel and I'm sticking to it!
2007-10-22 04:44:01 · answer #10 · answered by claire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋