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Ask An Expert: Your Questions & Answers
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Is it possible for a human being to travel at the speed of light?
Prof Pethica: Within our current understanding, which is extremely well supported by experimental evidence, no. When we talk about speed we mean distance per unit time. At high relative
speeds approaching that of light, relativity tells us that both time and distance alter their
scales such that the speed of light cannot be reached. There’s the related issue of mass and energy heading to infinity.
Other questions a bit like this are sometimes asked, such as trying to reach absolute zero of temperature – it can't be done by any finite process. One could always hope there is something wrong with the theory, and try experiments to find out what. However, the evidence so far is strongly against it – even more so for thermodynamics than for relativity. Definitely don’t put any money on it!
Other questions a bit like this are sometimes asked, such as trying to reach absolute zero of temperature – it can't be done by any finite process. One could always hope there is something wrong with the theory, and try experiments to find out what. However, the evidence so far is strongly against it – even more so for thermodynamics than for relativity. Definitely don’t put any money on it!
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