Understanding the Speed of Causality and Faster/Slower Alternatives

It is a well-established fact in our universe that the speed of light (denoted as c) is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. This speed is often referred to as the cosmic speed limit, not only because it is the absolute maximum speed at which information can propagate, but also because it is a fundamental property of the universe.

Science Behind the Cosmic Speed Limit

All fundamental physics, including quantum mechanics, is causal in the deterministic sense. This means that the state of an isolated physical system determines and is determined by its state at any moment within the system's timespan, past, present, and future. According to the renowned physicist Rudjer Boscovich in 1785 and Pierre-Simon Laplace in 1814, all fundamental physics is time-symmetric. Thus, it cannot be causal in the cause-and-effect sense. Cause and effect are interdependent and interchangeable in a physics that is symmetric with respect to time.

Contradictory Conventions and Causal Dynamics

Despite the symmetry of causality, the increasing entropy in our universe plays a crucial role. Entropy, as defined by Rudolf Clausius in 1850, is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. In 1865, Clausius redefined his second law of thermodynamics in terms of entropy: The entropy of an isolated system never decreases. This principle has been validated by numerous empirical observations and experiments.

The Speed of Causality Revisited

The speed of causality, c, is precisely 299,792,458 m/s, a constant across all inertial frames of reference. This is also known as the speed of light in a vacuum. Massless particles, such as photons, always travel at this speed. Particles with mass must travel at a speed less than c. However, this assertion can be subtly nuanced. The observed speed of an object moving at a relative speed of 0.6c towards an observer who is also moving at 0.6c towards the object would not be 1.2c, as Albert Einstein demonstrated through his special relativity theory. Instead, the Einstein speed addition formula yields a relative speed of approximately 0.88c.

The Perceptual Aspect of Speed

This apparent speed difference is not due to causality itself but rather to the way things are observed. The speed of causality is the intrinsic speed at which cause and effect occur, depending on the specific dynamics at play. The perceived speed can vary based on the distance and the relative speed of the observer relative to the events. The speed of light, however, is a constant relative to the observer, approximately 300,000 kilometers per second.

The Nature of the Vacuum and Ether

While my degree is in chemistry, not physics, I have some insights on the nature of the vacuum and the concept of ether. The speed of light in a vacuum can be calculated using the square root of the product of the medium's magnetic permeability and electrostatic permittivity. In a space filled with matter, such as a piece of glass, the speed of light can differ due to variations in permittivity.

The Michelson-Morley experiment of the late 1800s tested the hypotheses concerning the ether, a medium thought to carry light waves. The experiment's negative result suggested that the ether did not exist. However, I believe this conclusion was premature. While the ether may not have the effects previously hypothesized, something similar may still exist, just not in the form originally imagined.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the speed of causality is a fundamental constant of our universe, the speed of light in a vacuum. Our understanding of this speed, and its variations due to the presence of matter, continues to evolve as we delve deeper into the mysteries of physics. The nature of causality and the speed of light remain subjects of ongoing investigation and the cornerstone of modern physics.

References

Rudjer Boscovich Pierre-Simon Laplace Rudolf Clausius Albert Einstein Special Relativity Michelson-Morley Experiment