Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: erickejah on 10/04/2009 06:27:15
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would the electronics still work in a spaceship going at speed of light? and why? [:)]
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would the electronics still work in a spaceship going at speed of light? and why? [:)]
1. Yes.
2. For the same reason electronics work at 0 speed (at least, providing the ship is shielded against cosmic particles and radiations).
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No, because a ship can't get to the speed of light.
However, for a ship travelling at any speed the electronics would work because, otherwise, you would be able to sit on board the ship and say "The electronics have failed- we must be near C". However, since all velocity is relative there's no way you can judge speed from inside the ship; you need some external reference to measure it against.
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Exactly.
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ok, :) but does not the electron in a cable travels at 2/3 of C?
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Nope, electrons travel relatively slowly. An electromagnetic wave can travel down a dielectric cable at up to 2/3rds 'c', but that isn't the same as the electrons moving down the conductor.
Have a look at this short wiki article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_electricity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_electricity)