Screw You, Einstein! (Speed of Light Broken)

Braincase · 08-16-2007, 02:26 PM

Link

'We have broken speed of light'
By Nic Fleming, Science Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 16/08/2007

A pair of German physicists claim to have broken the speed of light - an achievement that would undermine our entire understanding of space and time.

According to Einstein's special theory of relativity, it would require an infinite amount of energy to propel an object at more than 186,000 miles per second.

However, Dr Gunter Nimtz and Dr Alfons Stahlhofen, of the University of Koblenz, say they may have breached a key tenet of that theory.

The pair say they have conducted an experiment in which microwave photons - energetic packets of light - travelled "instantaneously" between a pair of prisms that had been moved up to 3ft apart.

Being able to travel faster than the speed of light would lead to a wide variety of bizarre consequences.

For instance, an astronaut moving faster than it would theoretically arrive at a destination before leaving.

The scientists were investigating a phenomenon called quantum tunnelling, which allows sub-atomic particles to break apparently unbreakable laws.

Dr Nimtz told New Scientist magazine: "For the time being, this is the only violation of special relativity that I know of."

Valiant · 08-16-2007, 02:28 PM

stargate here we come...

Mr Luzcious · 08-16-2007, 02:29 PM

Nothing to do with torsion?

**Bowser** · 08-16-2007, 02:29 PM

Well, if you're traveling three feet at a speed of 186,000 miles a second be pretty much considered instantaneous?

StcChief · 08-16-2007, 02:30 PM

Wow. Impressive.

Quote:

quantum tunnelling, which allows sub-atomic particles to break apparently unbreakable laws.

Would like to know more about this......

beach tribe · 08-16-2007, 02:30 PM

Good god.

beach tribe · 08-16-2007, 02:32 PM

This basically constitutes time-travel.

Mr Luzcious · 08-16-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

This basically constitutes time-travel.

theoretically..

FAX · 08-16-2007, 02:34 PM

Thanks for posting, Mr. Braincase.

This is an odd announcement, though. Some years ago, I read about the discovery by Harvard physicists that, under the correct conditions, certain sub-particles appear to simultaneously exist in more than one place, which is essentially the same thing.

I wonder what makes this different.

FAX

DMAC · 08-16-2007, 02:35 PM

Holy shit.

Silock · 08-16-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Thanks for posting, Mr. Braincase.

This is an odd announcement, though. Some years ago, I read about the discovery by Harvard physicists that, under the correct conditions, certain sub-particles appear to simultaneously exist in more than one place, which is essentially the same thing.

I wonder what makes this different.

FAX

That's what I was wondering. They've already done this.

Vegas_Dave · 08-16-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

This basically constitutes time-travel.

I dont think so. I could be wrong but basically it means that the item arrives there quicker then the NAKED EYE can percieve. The item does not simultaneously exist in 2 points... it just got there quicker then the eye could see it leave... although it had really already left...

ClevelandBronco · 08-16-2007, 02:37 PM

I tripped and fell into one of those tunnels in 2159. It's about time you guys figured this out.

You want to know who won the Super Bowl in 2008? (Don't get out your foam fingers.)

Eleazar · 08-16-2007, 02:39 PM

I don't understand how they did it. How did they propel them?

**morphius** · 08-16-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

I dont think so. I could be wrong but basically it means that the item arrives there quicker then the NAKED EYE can percieve. The item does not simultaneously exist in 2 points... it just got there quicker then the eye could see it leave... although it had really already left...

I doubt that the naked eye had anything to do with this measurement.

08-16-2007, 02:26 PM
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Screw You, Einstein! (Speed of Light Broken) Link 'We have broken speed of light' By Nic Fleming, Science Correspondent Last Updated: 12:01am BST 16/08/2007 A pair of German physicists claim to have broken the speed of light - an achievement that would undermine our entire understanding of space and time. According to Einstein's special theory of relativity, it would require an infinite amount of energy to propel an object at more than 186,000 miles per second. However, Dr Gunter Nimtz and Dr Alfons Stahlhofen, of the University of Koblenz, say they may have breached a key tenet of that theory. The pair say they have conducted an experiment in which microwave photons - energetic packets of light - travelled "instantaneously" between a pair of prisms that had been moved up to 3ft apart. Being able to travel faster than the speed of light would lead to a wide variety of bizarre consequences. For instance, an astronaut moving faster than it would theoretically arrive at a destination before leaving. The scientists were investigating a phenomenon called quantum tunnelling, which allows sub-atomic particles to break apparently unbreakable laws. Dr Nimtz told New Scientist magazine: "For the time being, this is the only violation of special relativity that I know of."
Posts: 15,429

08-16-2007, 02:28 PM	#2
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6102380	stargate here we come...
Posts: 18,393

08-16-2007, 02:29 PM	#3
Mr Luzcious Orbital Teapot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: a maze of pleasure Casino cash: $10008797	Nothing to do with torsion?
Posts: 2,242

08-16-2007, 02:29 PM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $2981616	Well, if you're traveling three feet at a speed of 186,000 miles a second be pretty much considered instantaneous?
Posts: 101,378

08-16-2007, 02:30 PM	#6
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4698036	Good god.
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08-16-2007, 02:32 PM	#7
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4698036	This basically constitutes time-travel.
Posts: 21,429

08-16-2007, 02:34 PM	#9
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Thanks for posting, Mr. Braincase. This is an odd announcement, though. Some years ago, I read about the discovery by Harvard physicists that, under the correct conditions, certain sub-particles appear to simultaneously exist in more than one place, which is essentially the same thing. I wonder what makes this different. FAX
Posts: 44,492

08-16-2007, 02:35 PM	#10
DMAC MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $10008735	Holy shit.
Posts: 11,651

08-16-2007, 02:37 PM	#13
ClevelandBronco I'm with the banned. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $5658955	I tripped and fell into one of those tunnels in 2159. It's about time you guys figured this out. You want to know who won the Super Bowl in 2008? (Don't get out your foam fingers.)
Posts: 28,113

08-16-2007, 02:39 PM	#14
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I don't understand how they did it. How did they propel them?
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