This is really bothering me... (Physics)

[TracyCoxx]

Originally Posted by Rachel

That is physics as we know it Tracy.

Based on reality as we have observed. The same reality that any other alien race would observe as well.

Originally Posted by Rachel

However I do believe that in this vast universe there could be more intelligent beings then us. Maybe they have better science. When I say inflexible you show it. You believe in physics as an absolute.

I'm sure there is other life that's more intelligent than us. But I still doubt they can outdo the power of a gamma ray burst that's so powerful, it appears like it's a supernova in our galaxy, even though it's at the edge of the observable universe. Even that obeys the speed of light and other physics we're aware of.

The hypothetical more intelligent aliens may have figured out how to unify QM and relativity, but it still doesn't change the fact that you can't go faster than light.

And physics is an absolute. It works the same for everyone, anywhere in the universe.

Originally Posted by violet lightning

Also, I seem to remember reading a while back that scientists had discovered particles or something previously unknown, that was traveling just ahead of light speed. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

Is this what you're talking about?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/841690.stm

It still requires a medium for light to pass through to get this effect. There is no medium for aliens to travel through on the way to earth. Just mostly empty space.