Introduction
Several methods have been suggested by scientists by which to achieve faster than light (FTL) travel. This contrasts the theory of Einstein, which purports gravity is a space-time distortion that is produced by positive energy. Nature operates with a law that creates constraints on the duration and magnitude of negative energy. This obstacle makes it difficult or near impossible to construct warp drives and wormholes. Scientists have come up with ways by which they will overcome these obstacles. These methods are discussed below. It is important to understand some terms to understand this paper. The term negative energy is not antimatter because antimatter has positive energy. A black hole is a place in space that allows nothing to escape.
Double negative
This method was tested by Hendrik, a Dutch physicist. He discovered that the vacuum can be altered by two metal plates that are put parallel and uncharged (Ford & Roman n.d., para. 3). This then causes energy density between the two plates that are negative. Bu putting the plates closer he noticed an increase in pressure and negative energy. There was also an increase in the strength of the attractive force. They predicted that moving boundaries would create a negative energy flux. The horizon functions on a single-way street where energy flows inward only and evaporation becomes turns contradiction. It is possible to conserve this energy since energy must be conserved to produce positive energy which comes with a negative energy flow into the hole.
Gravity and Levity
A hypothesized tunnel is another method by which, by which FTL travel can be achieved. This wormhole joins two sections of space and time. A study conducted by John Wheeler and Robert Fuller revealed that contrary to what would have been expected, there is the possibility that the collapsing speed of a wormhole may exceed the speed of light. The force of gravity is at play here.
Before scientists thought that the holes only existed in fine length scales as evidenced in virtual particles. However, in the1980s, researchers found out that some wormholes could be made large enabling a person or spaceship to fit.
The above scenarios could be made possible because negative energy makes gravitational energy repulsive. For instance, one could travel through a wormhole because traversable wormholes use negative energy hence preventing its collapse.
No Dilithium needed
This method requires traveling through a space-time bubble. This solution by, Miguel Alcubierre Moya would defy Einstein’s equations. This speed would be too fast to see for the normal eye. It is possible to travel faster than light by taking a shortcut. One weakness found about the space-time bubbles is that steering of the bubble had to be done by someone outside the bubble. In a bid to find a solution to the prevailing problem, a suggestion by Krasnikov required the application of a superluminal subway. This is the space-time that has been modified using a tube. Subway utilizes negative energy. When wormholes and warp drives are constructed, they facilitate time travel.
This is because If a person goes to space and comes back faster than light then the rate of aging reduces. Negative energy is needed to construct such a machine.
Not separate and not equal
Quantum theory supports the existence of negative energy. This theory has been refined by other scholars. Negative energy has been compared to debt. This means that this energy is a deficit. The Casmir effect, suggests that this energy can persist indefinitely between plates.
Cosmic Flashing and Quantum interest
When a hot substance is cooled via a negative flow of energy, large amounts of positive energy are needed if bat all such an object is to be reheated. This flow can be intercepted to trap negative energy. This is however difficult, the alternative is to ensure that there is a large separation of time between the negative energy flow from the positive.
Conclusion
The above scholars have suggested various methods of achieving FTL. However, the methods are yet to be near implementation. Nature also has many surprises which contrast the above.
Reference List
Ford, L. H. & Roman, T. A, n.d. Negative energy, wormholes and warp drive. Web.