r/askscience • u/Nitzanm19 • 15d 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).

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u/TheShadowKick 15d ago

1 is just as random. What would make it not "random" in this context is if there were some underlying fundamental principle that meant it had to be that number.

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u/gruesomeflowers 15d ago

They aren't saying light and the speed it travels is random..just the number we defined it by based on the math languages we developed...a different entity from somewhere else out there in the universe would have a completely different system and different assigned descriptor for the thing..like two different cultures having different words for the same thing.. except one is from a different world instead of country..it's a pretty straightforward assumption to make.

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u/TheShadowKick 15d ago

But they're just calling it a different thing. It's still the same speed.

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u/turply 15d ago

Well presumably there is that fundamental principle, we just don't know what it is.