If the universal speed limit is 299,792,458m/s. And you had a rod several light-years long, and began spinning while holding the rod, wouldn’t the other end of the rod surpass the limits?

Question

If the universal speed limit is 299,792,458m/s. And you had a rod several light-years long, and began spinning while holding the rod, wouldn’t the other end of the rod surpass the limits?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Far from. The kinetic energy you impart on the rod travels through the rod at the speed of sound in whatever material it is made of.

So it’s going to bend, then twist, all at the speed of sound in the material, which is less that light speed by orders.