Is Time Travel Possible? Exploring the Speed of Light and the Nature of Time

In summary, a new member shared an idea about time being an interaction between atoms, which cannot be undone but can be reversed. However, this idea may not align with the standards of PhysicsForums and may be considered speculative. Additionally, the speed of atomic interactions varies under different boosts, while the speed of light remains constant. Therefore, this topic is not suitable for discussion on the forum.
  • #1
Andrew0853
I just wanted to share this idea with other people who may be interested:

I watched a PBS Space Time episode about the speed of light more accurately described as the speed of causality.

And I Submit! That "time" is simply a interaction between atoms.

And though an interaction can be reversed, it can never be undone (it has already happened)

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
:welcome:

Hi Andrew! As you are new, you are not as familiar with the standards here.

Generally speaking, the kind of reference you provided does not follow PhysicsForums guidelines. That is because it is not from a suitable peer-reviewed publication & author.

It would make more sense if you had a specific question about Time. As opposed to making a statement about Time - and one that would be considered speculative at that.
 
  • #3
Also: you are probably familiar with Relativity. You may not be aware that the speed of atomic interactions varies under various boosts. For example, time appears to elapse more slowly in the interior of the Earth than in the stratosphere. So atomic interactions (as you hypothesize) do not have a single specific duration of time that they define.

What is invariant is c.
 
  • #4
As @DrChinese pointed out, we do not debunk questionable sources as we do not discuss personal theories which aren't published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Both is affected by this youtube video, so I'll close this thread.

As always, if there is a scientific reliable source that discusses the subject or related ones, please contact me or another mentor and this thread can be re-opened.
 

Related to Is Time Travel Possible? Exploring the Speed of Light and the Nature of Time

What is time travel?

Time travel is the theoretical concept of moving between different points in time, either forwards or backwards. It is a popular subject in science fiction, but there is no scientific evidence to support its feasibility.

Why is time travel considered impossible?

There are several reasons why time travel is considered impossible according to our current understanding of physics. One reason is the concept of causality, which states that an event cannot occur before its cause. This creates paradoxes in scenarios where one could potentially travel back in time and change the past. Additionally, the laws of thermodynamics, particularly the second law, make it difficult to imagine a scenario where energy could be used to reverse time.

Can time travel ever be possible?

It is impossible to definitively say whether time travel will ever be possible. While there are many obstacles and paradoxes that make it seem unlikely, there are also theories and ideas being explored in the scientific community that may one day lead to a better understanding of time and the possibility of time travel.

What about the concept of wormholes and time dilation?

Wormholes are a theoretical concept in physics that suggests the existence of tunnels connecting different points in space and time. While they remain purely theoretical, some scientists believe that they may provide a potential avenue for time travel. Time dilation, on the other hand, is a well-established phenomenon that occurs when an object moves at extremely high speeds, causing time to pass differently for that object compared to a stationary observer. While both of these concepts are intriguing, they do not necessarily prove the possibility of time travel.

Are there any real-life examples of time travel?

There are no known examples of time travel that have been scientifically proven. However, some experiments have been conducted to test the effects of time dilation, such as the famous Hafele-Keating experiment in the 1970s, which showed that time did indeed pass differently for atomic clocks on planes compared to clocks on the ground. Additionally, the theory of general relativity has been used to explain how time would behave near a black hole, which could potentially be considered a form of time travel. However, these are all still theoretical and do not prove the possibility of true time travel.

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