What is the lower bound for lightspeed?What is the upper bound for Lightspeed?Ways to make contact with aliens on a much larger size scale?Control of matter and how to use itBuild a vactrain time-machineBound for life humanoidsWhat would cause a 'talking head' to die?What happens when a moving vehicle loses all its kinetic energy at onceLocalized manipulation of the speed of lightHow to limit magic mirrors so they're not overly powerful?Are these atmosphere compositions for habitation in space plausible/do they cause problems I don´t see?What is the upper bound for Lightspeed?
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What is the lower bound for lightspeed?
What is the upper bound for Lightspeed?Ways to make contact with aliens on a much larger size scale?Control of matter and how to use itBuild a vactrain time-machineBound for life humanoidsWhat would cause a 'talking head' to die?What happens when a moving vehicle loses all its kinetic energy at onceLocalized manipulation of the speed of lightHow to limit magic mirrors so they're not overly powerful?Are these atmosphere compositions for habitation in space plausible/do they cause problems I don´t see?What is the upper bound for Lightspeed?
$begingroup$
I am investigating the possibility of modifying the speed of light in my world. Assuming that the speed of light in a vacuum can (and in my world, is) modified, what lower bound exists that would permit humanity to exist?
Everyone has probably heard at least once that some values in Physics must be so precise that it could be compared to [insert absurdly precise example]. So is Light fine-tuned?
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live? In following questions I want to address an upper bound and most notable effects.
Thanks to many physicists we know that light speed is very important for any part of fundamental Physics (Gravitation, Energy, Relativity, ...)
At some light speeds Atoms might have so much energy that 1g of radioactive material would be enough to wipe out all human life.
science-based reality-check physics
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
$endgroup$
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I am investigating the possibility of modifying the speed of light in my world. Assuming that the speed of light in a vacuum can (and in my world, is) modified, what lower bound exists that would permit humanity to exist?
Everyone has probably heard at least once that some values in Physics must be so precise that it could be compared to [insert absurdly precise example]. So is Light fine-tuned?
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live? In following questions I want to address an upper bound and most notable effects.
Thanks to many physicists we know that light speed is very important for any part of fundamental Physics (Gravitation, Energy, Relativity, ...)
At some light speeds Atoms might have so much energy that 1g of radioactive material would be enough to wipe out all human life.
science-based reality-check physics
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I am investigating the possibility of modifying the speed of light in my world. Assuming that the speed of light in a vacuum can (and in my world, is) modified, what lower bound exists that would permit humanity to exist?
Everyone has probably heard at least once that some values in Physics must be so precise that it could be compared to [insert absurdly precise example]. So is Light fine-tuned?
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live? In following questions I want to address an upper bound and most notable effects.
Thanks to many physicists we know that light speed is very important for any part of fundamental Physics (Gravitation, Energy, Relativity, ...)
At some light speeds Atoms might have so much energy that 1g of radioactive material would be enough to wipe out all human life.
science-based reality-check physics
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
$endgroup$
I am investigating the possibility of modifying the speed of light in my world. Assuming that the speed of light in a vacuum can (and in my world, is) modified, what lower bound exists that would permit humanity to exist?
Everyone has probably heard at least once that some values in Physics must be so precise that it could be compared to [insert absurdly precise example]. So is Light fine-tuned?
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live? In following questions I want to address an upper bound and most notable effects.
Thanks to many physicists we know that light speed is very important for any part of fundamental Physics (Gravitation, Energy, Relativity, ...)
At some light speeds Atoms might have so much energy that 1g of radioactive material would be enough to wipe out all human life.
science-based reality-check physics
science-based reality-check physics
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
edited 1 hour ago
JBH
51.7k7108250
51.7k7108250
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
asked 4 hours ago
SoanSoan
2,791422
2,791422
1
$begingroup$
There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
1
$begingroup$
There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The fine-structure constant is the one controlling most of the properties allowing life as we know to exist.
It can be expressed as $alpha=$$2pi k_ecdot e^2 over hcdot c$.
As you see, if you change $c$ you change $alpha$, and that would make life impossible.
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live?
Exactly what it is: $c$
The anthropic principle is a controversial argument of why the fine-structure constant has the value it does: stable matter, and therefore life and intelligent beings, could not exist if its value were much different. For instance, were α to change by 4%, stellar fusion would not produce carbon, so that carbon-based life would be impossible. If α were greater than 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible, and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
From a purely classical point of view,
$c = 1 / sqrt varepsilon_0 mu_0$
which means that if one were to change the speed of ligh $c$ one would have to change $varepsilon_0$ (the vacuum [electric] permittivity), or $mu_0$ (the vacuum [magnetic] permeability), or both, and, as an immediate effect, change the strength of all electromagnetic phenomena.
As it happens, chemistry is first and foremost an electromagnetic phenomenon. In a world with a different speed of light than ours the strength of electromagnetic phenomena is different than in ours and therefore the chemistry works in a different way than in ours. Different chemistry means different life, and, quite obviously, no humans. There may be life in such a world, even intelligent life, but there will most definitely be no humans.
You cannot have a different speed of light and the same chemistry. You cannot have a different speed of light and human life.
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
C is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Light slows down when passes through transparent media by the factor of the index of refraction. The maximum theoretical refractive index value is $$infty, which would bring the speed of light to ~0, but ~38 is the highest value engineered into a meta-material.
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The fine-structure constant is the one controlling most of the properties allowing life as we know to exist.
It can be expressed as $alpha=$$2pi k_ecdot e^2 over hcdot c$.
As you see, if you change $c$ you change $alpha$, and that would make life impossible.
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live?
Exactly what it is: $c$
The anthropic principle is a controversial argument of why the fine-structure constant has the value it does: stable matter, and therefore life and intelligent beings, could not exist if its value were much different. For instance, were α to change by 4%, stellar fusion would not produce carbon, so that carbon-based life would be impossible. If α were greater than 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible, and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
The fine-structure constant is the one controlling most of the properties allowing life as we know to exist.
It can be expressed as $alpha=$$2pi k_ecdot e^2 over hcdot c$.
As you see, if you change $c$ you change $alpha$, and that would make life impossible.
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live?
Exactly what it is: $c$
The anthropic principle is a controversial argument of why the fine-structure constant has the value it does: stable matter, and therefore life and intelligent beings, could not exist if its value were much different. For instance, were α to change by 4%, stellar fusion would not produce carbon, so that carbon-based life would be impossible. If α were greater than 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible, and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
The fine-structure constant is the one controlling most of the properties allowing life as we know to exist.
It can be expressed as $alpha=$$2pi k_ecdot e^2 over hcdot c$.
As you see, if you change $c$ you change $alpha$, and that would make life impossible.
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live?
Exactly what it is: $c$
The anthropic principle is a controversial argument of why the fine-structure constant has the value it does: stable matter, and therefore life and intelligent beings, could not exist if its value were much different. For instance, were α to change by 4%, stellar fusion would not produce carbon, so that carbon-based life would be impossible. If α were greater than 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible, and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
$endgroup$
The fine-structure constant is the one controlling most of the properties allowing life as we know to exist.
It can be expressed as $alpha=$$2pi k_ecdot e^2 over hcdot c$.
As you see, if you change $c$ you change $alpha$, and that would make life impossible.
What would be the lower bound for light speed which still allows Human live?
Exactly what it is: $c$
The anthropic principle is a controversial argument of why the fine-structure constant has the value it does: stable matter, and therefore life and intelligent beings, could not exist if its value were much different. For instance, were α to change by 4%, stellar fusion would not produce carbon, so that carbon-based life would be impossible. If α were greater than 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible, and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
edited 3 hours ago
Ash
28.8k470159
28.8k470159
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
96.3k30224466
96.3k30224466
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
So c is also fine-tuned? And you can only change it thousands of digits after the . ?
$endgroup$
– Soan
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan, to help you with L.Dutch's answer: insofar as we understand the speed of light and insofar as present-day mathematics can accommodate the matter, there is one and only one speed of light: c. There is no lower bound. There is no upper bound. There is a single number: c. Not surprisingly, relativity states that this number is the moment when travel through the universe is perceived in the frame of the traveler as instantaneous. It may take light years in our time frame to travel, but in the time frame of light, it arrives at its destination instantly - regardless of distance.
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
After researching a bit about the fine-structure constant I fail to see why it has this exact value in the first place and why it has to be this value. Could you please explain that to me?
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
$endgroup$
– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Soan humans as we know it exist in a world where this value happen to lead to 1 planet out of maybe trillions to develop intelligent life.
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– Andrey
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
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– Soan
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Andrey I know that it is highly unlikely but I just want to know if it would be possible with different light speeds.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
From a purely classical point of view,
$c = 1 / sqrt varepsilon_0 mu_0$
which means that if one were to change the speed of ligh $c$ one would have to change $varepsilon_0$ (the vacuum [electric] permittivity), or $mu_0$ (the vacuum [magnetic] permeability), or both, and, as an immediate effect, change the strength of all electromagnetic phenomena.
As it happens, chemistry is first and foremost an electromagnetic phenomenon. In a world with a different speed of light than ours the strength of electromagnetic phenomena is different than in ours and therefore the chemistry works in a different way than in ours. Different chemistry means different life, and, quite obviously, no humans. There may be life in such a world, even intelligent life, but there will most definitely be no humans.
You cannot have a different speed of light and the same chemistry. You cannot have a different speed of light and human life.
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
From a purely classical point of view,
$c = 1 / sqrt varepsilon_0 mu_0$
which means that if one were to change the speed of ligh $c$ one would have to change $varepsilon_0$ (the vacuum [electric] permittivity), or $mu_0$ (the vacuum [magnetic] permeability), or both, and, as an immediate effect, change the strength of all electromagnetic phenomena.
As it happens, chemistry is first and foremost an electromagnetic phenomenon. In a world with a different speed of light than ours the strength of electromagnetic phenomena is different than in ours and therefore the chemistry works in a different way than in ours. Different chemistry means different life, and, quite obviously, no humans. There may be life in such a world, even intelligent life, but there will most definitely be no humans.
You cannot have a different speed of light and the same chemistry. You cannot have a different speed of light and human life.
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
From a purely classical point of view,
$c = 1 / sqrt varepsilon_0 mu_0$
which means that if one were to change the speed of ligh $c$ one would have to change $varepsilon_0$ (the vacuum [electric] permittivity), or $mu_0$ (the vacuum [magnetic] permeability), or both, and, as an immediate effect, change the strength of all electromagnetic phenomena.
As it happens, chemistry is first and foremost an electromagnetic phenomenon. In a world with a different speed of light than ours the strength of electromagnetic phenomena is different than in ours and therefore the chemistry works in a different way than in ours. Different chemistry means different life, and, quite obviously, no humans. There may be life in such a world, even intelligent life, but there will most definitely be no humans.
You cannot have a different speed of light and the same chemistry. You cannot have a different speed of light and human life.
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
$endgroup$
From a purely classical point of view,
$c = 1 / sqrt varepsilon_0 mu_0$
which means that if one were to change the speed of ligh $c$ one would have to change $varepsilon_0$ (the vacuum [electric] permittivity), or $mu_0$ (the vacuum [magnetic] permeability), or both, and, as an immediate effect, change the strength of all electromagnetic phenomena.
As it happens, chemistry is first and foremost an electromagnetic phenomenon. In a world with a different speed of light than ours the strength of electromagnetic phenomena is different than in ours and therefore the chemistry works in a different way than in ours. Different chemistry means different life, and, quite obviously, no humans. There may be life in such a world, even intelligent life, but there will most definitely be no humans.
You cannot have a different speed of light and the same chemistry. You cannot have a different speed of light and human life.
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
answered 1 hour ago
AlexPAlexP
42.2k894166
42.2k894166
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
C is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Light slows down when passes through transparent media by the factor of the index of refraction. The maximum theoretical refractive index value is $$infty, which would bring the speed of light to ~0, but ~38 is the highest value engineered into a meta-material.
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
C is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Light slows down when passes through transparent media by the factor of the index of refraction. The maximum theoretical refractive index value is $$infty, which would bring the speed of light to ~0, but ~38 is the highest value engineered into a meta-material.
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
C is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Light slows down when passes through transparent media by the factor of the index of refraction. The maximum theoretical refractive index value is $$infty, which would bring the speed of light to ~0, but ~38 is the highest value engineered into a meta-material.
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
$endgroup$
C is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Light slows down when passes through transparent media by the factor of the index of refraction. The maximum theoretical refractive index value is $$infty, which would bring the speed of light to ~0, but ~38 is the highest value engineered into a meta-material.
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
answered 3 hours ago
EDLEDL
9456
9456
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Sorry didn't specify but I wanted to know what the theoretical lower bound of light in vacuum would be when I still want Humans to live.
$endgroup$
– Soan
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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There aren't many on this particular site who could answer that, you might want to ask on Physics where it won't get closed as "Not about worldbuilding". VTC.: OT.: NAW.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
4 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@JBH I've been noting thing new that I learn here as I go. I need a bigger notebook.
$endgroup$
– Hoyle's ghost
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@MrSpudtastic the lowest speed for light where Human life is still possible.
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@TylerS.Loeper At certain light speeds Human life will not be possible because Relativistic Physics would occur every time you moved. (this is only an example)
$endgroup$
– Soan
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
I would add that to your question. As a bit of background information. Thanks for the info by the way.
$endgroup$
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago