posted
I wonder why the TNGTM says warp drive is not efficient at sublight speed so the impulse engine needs its own field generators. Maybe Sternbach feared someone could question the impulse drive on the whole.
Registered: Mar 1999
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JC2astro
Ex-Member
posted
Bernd is correct.
Here's your "Einstein's Theory of Relativity fact of the Day:"
The "Tau" factor is equal to the square root of the quanity of one minus the ratio of the relative velocity squared and the speed of light squared, or:
Tau * Tau = 1 - (v * v)/(c * c)
(simplify and solve for Tau gives the equation described above. I can't write a square root or squared sign).
------------------ ----- Please excuse the bad spelling.
posted
Ah! That equation! *thinks he just saw that one recently when reading about the Alcubierre space warp* However, I thought it was something else... Hm...
Oh, and no-one ever answered my question about the contraction the ships would experience at those speeds. Would it be enough for us to see on screen?
------------------ "Flying Thompson's Gazelle of the Yard!" -Inspector Fox, the Arguement Clinic sketch, Monty Python's Flying Circus
posted
Yes, it's the same factor. I think tau is used for convenience because it can be written: t'=t/tau, where t' is the dilated time (observed outside the ship) and t the time inside the ship.
The reciprocal factor applies to the length contraction. It should be visible at full impulse speed, but only for a ship passing by which would be too fast to be perceived anyway. It's been some time ago I've read a book where relativistic effects already become apparent at a few km/h ("Mr. Tomkin's..."?). Quite funny when a passing bicycle is flattened, or if you get on a train, travel a few hours and reach your destination years later.
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