this post was submitted on 23 May 2024
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[โ€“] DeLacue 22 points 1 month ago (8 children)

Given that the speed of light is the upper limit for changes to propagate through the universe; if you had a four light-year long indestructible rod and you move one end of the rod how long until the other end moves?

[โ€“] [email protected] 17 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not an expert, but I guess it would depend on the speed of sound in the rod.

[โ€“] perviouslyiner 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqhXsEgLMJ0 is a nice explanation.

So about 6 terayears (1.9E+20 seconds) if it's made from the same steel.

[โ€“] chetradley 7 points 1 month ago

This crashes the simulation.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Well not above the speed of light, if I read the first sentence correct.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Instantly, unless the rod flexes

[โ€“] ripcord 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Somewhat related: let's say you're moving at 80% the speed of light away from earth. Then you turn on a flashlight and point it away from earth.

  • How fast is the light emitted moving relative to you?
  • How fast is it moving relative to earth?
[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[โ€“] ripcord 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

OK, so after 1 hour:

  • How much further away are you from earth?
  • How much further away from you is the light?
  • How much further away from earth is the light?
[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

It depends. The light is definitely moving at c, no matter who checks and from everyone's perspective, but as a consequence of that the answers to those other questions change depending on how you measure. The coordinate system (technically the "reference frame") you choose changes the answer. Even more, time isn't the same for each frame, so you even have to specify for whom it has been 1 hour.