wasser_1@viking.DEC (John A. Wasser) (05/28/85)
>>> Consider the point of intersection of the blades of a scissors.... >> When the handle is squeezed, the E&M force won't be transmitted to >> the far end of the blades any faster than C. The result is that the >> blades will "bend". The point of intersection of the blades will propagate >> no faster than the "bend" - the speed of light. > Who says anyone has to squeeze the handle to have the scissors closing? > Ever heard of velocity? In order for all parts of the blade to have the same (angular) velocity, the blades have to be pushed all along their length at the same time. The command to start pushing has to be sent out at light speed so why bother with the scissors? You can just send a radio message to the other end of the scissors. The original question was one of transmitting information by faster than light "Scissor Radio" (move the handle and the intersection of the blades moves very fast). The original reply pointed out why "Scissor Radio" is no faster that light. Your solution (have all parts of the blade move at once) does not solve the original question for reasons outlined above. The motion of the two blades relative to each other caries no information (or mass) faster than light. -John A. Wasser Work address: ARPAnet: WASSER%VIKING.DEC@decwrl.ARPA Usenet: {allegra,Shasta,decvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!wasser Easynet: VIKING::WASSER Telephone: (617)486-2505 USPS: Digital Equipment Corp. Mail stop: LJO2/E4 30 Porter Rd Littleton, MA 01460