English

A simple superluminal but not physical motion

General Physics 2007-08-01 v1

Abstract

We discuss a superluminal unphysical motion which, we believe, has a high pedagogical potential. It highlights the physics behind the concept of simultaneity in special relativity and illustrates the non-physical character of superluminal speeds offering a rewarding exercise in handling the Minkowski space-time diagram.

Cite

@article{arxiv.0707.4480,
  title  = {A simple superluminal but not physical motion},
  author = {Nilton Penha and Bernhard Rothenstein},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0707.4480},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

8 pages, 6 figures, Submitted on July/30/2007

R2 v1 2026-06-21T09:03:10.115Z