Introduction
Throughout our time, due to the emergence of many scientific theories concerning the speed of light, lots of science fiction are written and blockbuster movies are produced showcasing different types of reality that might be witnessed while moving at or near the speed of light. Though renowned mathematics of theories somehow allows us to predict the effects at light speed, to attain such an extreme speed is unattainable through our present technologies. Here are some justifications derived from well-known theories that undoubtedly convince us that it is indeed impossible.
Fig: Peculiarity of light
1. The Theory of Relativity
The Special Theory of Relativity, put forth by Albert Einstein in 1905, is the cornerstone upon which all other theories pertaining to extreme speeds are based. It states that the speed of light in the vacuum is constant and finite, or "c,"[29,97,92,458m/s]. The implication of this theory is time dilation, whereby the time for an object moving relative to an observer at rest that is approaching the speed of light appears to be pass slower than the observer's time at rest.
From the mass increment principle another implication of the theory deduces that when an object with mass began to reach the speed of light, its energy required to accelerate increases exponentially, making it virtually impossible to reach or exceed the speed of light. First, of all, it demands a large amount of energy to accelerate the object with mass. Further on, when it approaches the speed of light, the mass further increases making the energy required even more thus requiring infinite energy to reach at the speed of light.
2. Requirement of Infinite Energy
According to Einstein's mass equivalent principle, the amount of energy needed to accelerate an infinite mass is infinite as well, which is a problem.
Even the most cutting-edge technologies of today, including propulsion systems, cannot provide an infinite supply of energy.
3. Relativistic Effects
Thirdly, relativistic effects produced by objects travelling at the speed of light are extremely complicated and incomprehensible. The length of the moving object perceived by an initial frame of reference (stationary observer) should reach zero at light speed "c," which is known as Lorentz contraction. An object's mass increases and its length in the direction of motion decreases as it accelerates.
In addition, as an object approaches the speed of light, time dilation becomes increasingly severe. Even a small amount of time elapsed by a moving object could result in a significant time difference to an observer at rest, as the stationary observer witnesses a slowing of time for an object moving at the speed of light. The genuine flavour of what it might seem like has never been attained, and this defies reality.
4. Cosmic Dangers
Travelling through space is difficult, even if we are able to go faster than the speed of light. It has hazards like threats and impediments in it. Even hitting a little obstruction while travelling at a high rate of speed will result in disaster. Additionally, the outside structure would suffer extensive damage from cosmic radiation and high-energy particles that pervert space, and inside electrical and mechanical components would malfunction.
Furthermore, because interstellar space is covered in dust, the spacecraft would suffer significant damage and might possibly run into tiny particles, making it a risky deal to try on.
Conclusion
Although the concept of travelling at the speed of light continues to capture our imagination and motivate scientists, it is still an unreachable goal. Relativity poses a difficult obstacle to get over because of its implications for time dilation and infinite energy needs.
This above requirement does not discourage scientists and researchers. They keep on researching making infinite energy resources possible one day, mastering the theory of warp drives and wormholes and developing cutting-edge propulsion systems.
Though human travel across interstellar space is limited, the quest of discovering what lies beyond our solar systems hasn’t been stopped. Most successful explorers like Voyager and New Horizon, Pioneer 10 and 11 has led us to discover so many truth across the vastness of darkness. These can be also used to demonstrate how advanced technology has become.
As optimistic as a theory of light-speed travel and technology get, it is not possible to determine the exact progress with could be made. Our enthusiasm to attend a goal will remain forever. Who could predict what the future would hold?
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