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we could hit light speed ?

If a space craft uses a laser to push it along in space could it at one point hit the speed of light?

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Last edited on: 2010-01-25 20:23:13

Categories: Our universe.

Tags: light, Space, speed, spaceshuttle.

 

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bluehigh says:

No.

Oddly, in theory FTL transistion is possible. Although it is commonly believed that Einstein's theory of relativity says nothing can go faster than light, that is not quite true. Relativity does forbid ordinary matter from ever reaching the speed of light, because it would require infinite energy.

One could then in theory,  be able to cross the light speed barrier using infinite energy for an infinitely small time to accelerate at an infinite velocity, so as to be at light speed for an infinitely small time.

Perhaps if we could negate the effects of Mass and associated Inertia then FTL may not be impossible.

Inertial Dampers active, Captain. Warp Speed 7, Mr Sulu.

 

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Tags: light, Space, speed, spaceshuttle.

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posted on 2010-01-27 10:06:48 | Report abuse


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MikeAdams#367 says:

Also, no. Though that is based on our current understanding of how the universe works. The bottom line is that, as you get closer to the speed of light, your mass increases. This means that you need more energy to accelerate, and when you do, your mass increases again. In short, the energy needed would be infinite.

For a good discussion of this, and other FTL concepts I recommend

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SpeedOfLight/FTL.html

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posted on 2010-01-27 13:32:08 | Report abuse


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