Warp - any scientific take on it?

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Perfection
Spacetime naturally warps from gravity as per general relativity. In science fiction they play on this concept and make it do all sorts of crazy stuff.

In reality warping space time to make FTL (Faster then light) information transfer is theoretically impossible (by mainstream physics). In fact all forms of FTL info tranfer are theoretically impossible by modern mainstream theory. There are some ideas to get around it, but they involve exotic (read nonexistant) material or major modifications to current theory (read probably BS).

In a nutshell, it seems that the speed limit of C is one of those universal principles of the universe like conservation of energy and FTL is probably impossible.

Surprisingly cogent, coming from you

Additionally I should note that allowing FTL allows for time travel as well and you have to deal with that mess.

Not necessarily.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Sn00py
FTL is not impossible. It's just a speed. Light has no power over the speed in which anything travels.

Anything that travels faster than light will simply be invisible.

E = gamma*m*c^2

[KrazyHorse]

Perfection, what do you do?

[LordShiva]

OS/2 Warp

[Tattila the Hun]

I'm partial to the concept of hyperdrive, lobbing the ship out of our space into another, where laws of physics are different, speed of light is faster, and distances shorter.

And Heim-Dröscher-drive. If I ever write a story with FTL, the ship(s) will have Heim-Dröscher-stardrives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkhard_Heim

And light isn't fast. Where ever it goes, it finds darkness allready waiting for it. -Terry Prattchet-

[Verto]

James T. Kirk is above the laws of science

[snoopy369]

Re: Warp - any scientific take on it?

Originally posted by DanielXY
Like Fusion being theoreticly possibel but not really invented yet...

Did nobody else read this part of his OP?

Daniel, Fusion is not only possible but was 'invented' in the 60s, with the hydrogen (fusion) bomb.

You're probably referring to Fusion power which is still theoretical in that it hasn't been accomplished in a useful way yet.

[Tattila the Hun]

Cold fusion. I'd imagine.

[Flubber]

Oh and "warp" has many meanings-- In this context it is mainly the beding twisting ones that apply

warp /wɔrp/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wawrp] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object) 1. to bend or twist out of shape, esp. from a straight or flat form, as timbers or flooring.
2. to bend or turn from the natural or true direction or course.
3. to distort or cause to distort from the truth, fact, true meaning, etc.; bias; falsify: Prejudice warps the mind.
4. Aeronautics. to curve or bend (a wing or other airfoil) at the end or ends to promote equilibrium or to secure lateral control.
5. Nautical. to move (a vessel) into a desired place or position by hauling on a rope that has been fastened to something fixed, as a buoy or anchor.
6. Agriculture. to fertilize (land) by inundation with water that deposits alluvial matter.
–verb (used without object) 7. to become bent or twisted out of shape, esp. out of a straight or flat form: The wood has warped in drying.
8. to be or become biased; hold or change an opinion due to prejudice, external influence, or the like.
9. Nautical. a. to warp a ship or boat into position.
b. (of a ship or boat) to move by being warped.

10. (of a stratum in the earth's crust) to bend slightly, to a degree that no fold or fault results.
–noun 11. a bend, twist, or variation from a straight or flat form in something, as in wood that has dried unevenly.
12. a mental twist, bias, or quirk, or a biased or twisted attitude or judgment.
13. the set of yarns placed lengthwise in the loom, crossed by and interlaced with the weft, and forming the lengthwise threads in a woven fabric.
14. time warp.
15. a situation, environment, etc., that seems characteristic of another era, esp. in being out of touch with contemporary life or attitudes, etc.
16. Also called spring, spring line. Nautical. a rope for warping or hauling a ship or boat along or into position.
17. alluvial matter deposited by water, esp. water let in to inundate low land so as to enrich it.

[Flubber]

I just assume that faster than light travel is currently impossible for us and it is simply used in science fiction to expedite the story. I am unsurprised that certain terms become commonly used just as a matter of familiarity to sci-fi fans

[Perfection]

Originally posted by Sn00py
prove me wrong..

Einstein already did, wiki special relativity. I don't care to explain it, and wouldn't do as good a job anyways.

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Not necessarily.

Actually quite necessarily!

http://www.theculture.org/rich/sharpblue/archives/000089.html

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Perfection, what do you do?

I'm an electrical engineering student (with a physics minor)

[Kuciwalker]

relativity, causality, FTL - pick two

[Japher]

I like the idea of not having to "move" to travel, to acheive interstellar travel rather than FTL... space bending, or even the probability drive!

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Perfection
Actually quite necessarily!

http://www.theculture.org/rich/sharpblue/archives/000089.html

No, not necessarily. But thanks for playing.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
relativity, causality, FTL - pick two

Not necessarily.