Exploring the Possibility of Time Travel

In summary, a student is looking for sources to help them understand the concept of time travel for a physics project. Another individual recommends a book by Paul Nahin that provides a thorough and accurate review of the topic in a way that is accessible to non-specialists. The book even includes a foreword by physicist Kip Thorne.
  • #1
danago
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Hi. For a physics project, i was to select a topic that interests me, and give a presentation on it. The topic i chose was:

"The possibility of time travel"

I started to read more into it, and I am beginning to think that its way out of the scope of my knowledge, as most of the information is going straight over my head.

Does anybody know of any sources that explain related topics, such as general and special relativity, in a way that is easy to understand. I don't need to explain the topic in as much detail as someone like einstein would have, but i do need to give an overview of how physicists are proposting time travel will work, and the physics behind it.

Thanks,
Dan.
 
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  • #2
Have a look at the second edition of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0387985719/?tag=pfamazon01-20 by Paul Nahin. This is a wonderful book that is written for the educated layperson.

Physicist (and relativist) Kip Thorne wrote a foreword for the second edition of this book, and here's a quote from this foreword: "It now is not only the most complete documentation of time travel in science fiction; it is also the most thorough review of serious scientific literature on the subject - a review that, remarkably, is scientifically accurate and at the same time largely accessible to a broad audience of nonspecialists."
 
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  • #3
We're all traveling through time right now. At one second per second. So it isn't a possibility, it's a certainty!
 

Related to Exploring the Possibility of Time Travel

1. What is time travel?

Time travel is the hypothetical concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. It is often explored in science fiction and theoretical physics.

2. Is time travel really possible?

The possibility of time travel is still a topic of debate among scientists. While there are theories and mathematical equations that suggest it may be possible, there is currently no scientific evidence to support its existence.

3. Can we travel to the past or only to the future?

The theories of time travel suggest that traveling to the past may be more difficult or even impossible. The concept of causality, where an event cannot occur before its cause, poses a challenge for traveling to the past. However, traveling to the future may be more feasible, as it is supported by the theory of relativity.

4. What are the potential consequences of time travel?

One of the biggest concerns with time travel is the possibility of causing paradoxes, where an event or action could change the course of history. Another concern is the effect on the traveler's own timeline and the potential for altering their own existence. These consequences are purely speculative and have not been scientifically proven.

5. How close are we to achieving time travel?

At this time, time travel is still considered a theoretical concept and there is no known technology or method that can achieve it. However, scientists continue to explore the possibilities and theories surrounding time travel and it remains an intriguing subject in the realm of science and fiction.

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