Reconciling Quantum Mechanics With Special Relativity and Surpassing the Speed of Light Could Be Possible

Reconciling Quantum Mechanics With Special Relativity and Surpassing the Speed of Light Could Be Possible
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The speed of light is a fundamental constant of the universe, and it has some interesting properties. For one thing, it is the fastest speed at which anything can travel. This means that light can be used to transmit information or signals faster than anything else. Additionally, the speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This is known as the principle of relativity, and it has some important consequences for the way we understand space and time.

Finally, the speed of light is also related to other important physical quantities, such as energy and mass, through the famous equation E=mc^2, which tells us that energy and mass are interchangeable and can be converted into each other.

The renowned physicist Albert Einstein knew about a century ago that the speed of light could not be surpassed. But what if he was wrong, or that there is a way to at least “trick” that rule of nature?

An extension of Einstein’s special theory of relativity

Researchers from the University of Warsaw and the National University of Singapore have proposed an extension to Einstein’s special theory of relativity that allows for the possibility of objects traveling faster than the speed of light. This new theory combines three time dimensions with one space dimension, rather than the usual three space dimensions and one time dimension, and suggests that superluminal (faster-than-light) objects may be able to exist without violating current laws of physics. This theory could potentially reconcile the currently incompatible theories of quantum mechanics and special relativity and could also have implications for our understanding of the Higgs particle and other particles in the Standard Model. However, it is not yet clear if this extended behavior can be observed.

Andrzej Dragan, a physicist from the University of Warsaw (Poland), explained:

There is no fundamental reason why observers moving in relation to the described physical systems with speeds greater than the speed of light should not be subject to it.

The new research appears in Classical and Quantum Gravity.


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Even since he was a child, Cristian was staring curiously at the stars, wondering about the Universe and our place in it. Today he's seeing his dream come true by writing about the latest news in astronomy. Cristian is also glad to be covering health and other science topics, having significant experience in writing about such fields.

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