It can look dumb, but I always had this question as a kid, what physical principles would prevent this?

  • mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    12 days ago

    The problem lies in what “unstretchable” and “unbendable” means. Its always molecules and your push takes time to reach the other end. You think its instantaneous because you never held such a long stick. The push signal is slower than the light

    • I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org
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      11 days ago

      I would liken it to a long freight train starting to move. Once the front starts moving, it will still be a minute before the back starts moving. The space between the train couplings is like the spring effect between atoms, or something.