We’ve always been fascinated by time travel. But what does time travel really mean, and is it even possible? If you had the chance, would you rather visit the past, the future, or both?
You might not realize it, but by the time you finish reading this, about 10 minutes will have passed. Every moment of every day, you are moving closer to your future; much like traveling through space, you are also moving through time.
Since we naturally move forward in time, it seems more logical to think about traveling to the future rather than the past.
You’ll learn about the basics of time travel science, based on Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and more.
So, let’s get started.
The Basics Of Time Traveling At A Glance
Let’s start with a bold claim: time travel is possible, but there are limitations.
According to Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, time is relative and can change under the right conditions. The catch is that you can only move forward in time, not backward.
Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, which explains the relationship between space and time, forms the basis for the idea of time travel. This leads to the concept of “time dilation,” which means that time can pass at different rates depending on the observer and their location.
Despite over a century of debate, scientists have yet to make much progress on the time travel puzzle. While Einstein’s calculations suggest that round-trip time travel is theoretically possible, other physical factors likely make it impossible to create the exotic energy types needed for it.
In simple terms, the physics is too complex for time travel to be practical. According to astronomer Charles Liu, movement is confined to the three main dimensions of width, depth, and height. However, you can only move forward in what is actually spacetime, which is considered four-dimensional.
Scientifically, time travel isn’t feasible because anything that would allow it contradicts the accepted laws of physics.
The Quantum Jumps In The Time Process
Based on the principles of Quantum Physics, it is possible to traverse our three-dimensional reality without the need to pass through time.
Scientists have achieved the remarkable feat of moving particles seamlessly from one location to another without any obstacles in their way. This is referred to as a significant advancement for this particular reason.
If we could achieve this in another dimension, we would have the ability to travel directly from the present to the future. Yes, that would be considered time travel. This topic has captivated individuals for centuries due to its inherent intrigue.
Building A Time Machine? How?
How does one go about creating a time machine? One possible approach currently being considered involves utilizing a wormhole, which is essentially a conduit connecting different regions of spacetime. The idea is to accelerate one end of the wormhole at a significantly higher speed than the other.
Then, it would be possible to access history through the wormhole.
So, where exactly does one acquire a wormhole? Despite extensive research into the theoretical aspects of wormholes, there still needs to be more understanding of how to create a large enough macroscopic wormhole for human or spacecraft transit.
Is it possible to create a time machine if we have a wormhole at our disposal? As per Stephen Hawking’s “Chronology Protection Conjecture,“ the construction of time travel is impossible due to the fundamental laws of nature.
However, this still needs to be verified and is merely a hypothesis.
Scientists in the field of theoretical physics have extensively studied various subjects within the realm of physics in order to explore the possibility of time travel and the potential laws that might prevent its existence.
However, even with a thorough investigation, scientists have only managed to uncover one limitation in the realm of physics that would prevent the possibility of utilizing a wormhole for time travel.
Why Do Time Machines Still Not Exist?
Two possible answers fit with what we know. The first point is that there are fewer possible answers to the moral theory of quantum gravity than there are to the classical theory.
It’s not impossible that classical spacetimes with time cycles are not real or don’t look like any part of the thesis. In a deep way, that causal consistency goes through quantum gravity.
The newest findings, called chronology protection, offer a second possible answer: one says that microscopic objects that break the rules of causality are possible in quantum gravity. Another shows that the way macroscopic matter is made makes it impossible for macroscopically huge time loops to form.
To build a time machine, you would need negative energy, but quantum physics only lets negative energy lie in very specific places. Furthermore, very high forces are required in order to create a standard-sized area with time loops.
Why Does The Consistency Paradox Become A Challenge?
The other big problem is that time travel goes against reasoning, as shown by travel paradoxes. This is a less practical but important issue. There are different kinds of these paradoxes, but consistency paradoxes are some of the hardest to solve.
Consistency paradoxes happen when something happens that changes history but stops the event from happening in the first place.
For example, let’s say I get in my time machine, use it to go back 15 minutes in time, and then destroy it as soon as I get there. Due to the damage I caused, I will not be able to use the time capsule in fifteen minutes.
If I can’t use the time machine, I won’t be able to go back in time and forget about it. Because of this, it’s not broken, so I can go back in time and do it. Other than that, the time machine only stops working when and if it does.
This situation is contradictory and strange because it can’t be damaged and not damaged at the same time.
What Will Happen If You Do Time Travel?
Even the most advanced spacecraft we have can’t travel at even a tiny fraction of the speed of light. The faster you travel, the slower your clock runs, allowing you to experience more time close to the universe’s maximum speed.
Imagine taking a time-traveling journey into the future.
Picture a wormhole with one of its openings moving around the universe at 95% of the speed of light. According to special relativity, time is experienced differently for observers in relative motion. A clock on a fast-moving spaceship would appear to tick more slowly than a clock on Earth.
If someone traveled through the wormhole and back, they might feel like the trip only took a week, based on their watch. But someone observing from a stationary position in space would see that the journey actually took three years.
You wouldn’t feel anything unusual, but depending on how fast you were traveling, when you returned to Earth after a few years, thousands or even tens of thousands of years might have passed here. Therefore, you control your future and how quickly you reach it.
Closing Thoughts
Based on the available data, it seems highly unlikely that we will ever be able to produce such a substance. However, it is currently impossible to prove the practicality of constructing a time machine due to our limited understanding of general relativity, especially in the realm where quantum mechanical effects may play a significant role.
The laws of physics prevent the existence of macroscopic time machines. However, it is also possible to imagine the presence of microscopic time loops within spacetime. It is indeed possible for time travel to exist in our universe.
As previously stated, although time travel may appear unlikely based on our current understanding of time, there have been various theoretical frameworks put forth that provide insights into potential ways it could be possible. One intriguing concept involves the notion of traversable wormholes, theoretical passages that link distinct areas of spacetime. Through the manipulation of these wormholes, one could navigate through time, although this endeavour would present numerous technical challenges and unpredictable outcomes.
Scientific theories and concepts provide insights into potential paths for investigating time manipulation, but some substantial challenges and paradoxes need to be addressed. Continuing to explore the depths of our knowledge and scientific understanding is of utmost importance in order to illuminate this timeless inquiry. Time travel may always remain elusive, forever confined to the realm of imagination. However, the path of scientific exploration will surely lead to fresh perspectives and breakthroughs that will further shape our comprehension of the world we live in.
