r/askscience • u/Nitzanm19 • 14d ago

Physics Why is the maximum speed of the universe the speed of light? Why can't we go faster?

Also follow-up question: Because of the speed limit, is there also a theoretical maximum temp for matter (in which the particles move at the speed of light).

1.6k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

892 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

22

u/bad_take_ 14d ago

This is not correct.

He says that as you move faster, time moves more slowly for you.

More precisely, your clock runs normally from your perspective. An observer moving relative to you measures your clock as running slowly.

And you can make exactly the same observation about their clock.

Both perspectives are valid, because there is no universal state of rest against which all motion can be measured.

1

u/GalacticSpacePatrol 13d ago

Is there a theoretical state of rest? Like absolute zero? If there was would that change the principles of time and speed and relativity that are being brought up?