0.1 What is this FAQ About, and Who Should Read It (Relativity and FTL Travel)
Description
This article is from the Relativity and FTL Travel FAQ, by Jason W. Hinson jason@physicsguy.com with numerous contributions by others.
0.1 What is this FAQ About, and Who Should Read It (Relativity and FTL Travel)
The primary purpose of this FAQ is to discuss (in straight-forward,
simple terms) the relationship between relativity and faster than light
(FTL) travel. Part I introduces the information about special relativity
which one needs to understand the discussion of FTL travel. One of its
sections involves an introduction to space-time diagrams, which are used to
make some significant points in the FTL travel discussion. Therefore, if you
are not familiar with these diagrams, then this will be a very important
section for you to read.
Parts II and III are what I call "optional reading" parts. If you do
not want to read them, you can still understand the FTL travel discussion.
Part II gives more information about special relativity and explains two
"solvable paradoxes" which are associated with the theory, while Part III
introduces and explores some of the major concepts in general relativity,
and does so at considerable length.
Part IV is the part which discusses the question of FTL travel. There
are two basic problems which are discussed, and while most ideas for FTL
travel in science fiction address the first problem (the light speed
barrier), many simply ignore the second (producing unsolvable paradoxes).
Part IV also discusses various conceptual forms of FTL travel (each of which
get around the "first problem"), and it introduces special provisions for
getting around the "second problem". Finally, because this FAQ is meant for
the rec.arts.startrek.tech newsgroup, I will apply the FTL discussion to
explain how warp (as it is depicted in Trek) can allow FTL travel while
getting around both of the problems mentioned above. As far as I can tell,
it presents the best way of explaining everything the series has shown us.
I should also note that various diagrams are used throughout this FAQ,
and so the HTML versions provide links to the diagrams when they are
mentioned throughout the FAQ for convenience. However, if you are reading
the LaTeX or text versions, it may be helpful for you to make a hard copy of
the parts you are reading so that you can view the diagrams easily as you
read various sections of the FAQ.
I hope you can learn a little something from reading this, or at least
strengthen your understanding of that which you already know. Your comments
and criticisms are welcome, especially if they indicate improvements that I
can make for future posts. If any or all parts of this post do not show up
at your site, or if any or all are cut short, let me know and I can e-mail
you the parts you want.
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