Warp Speed? Someone explain?

[TaZeR]

I found a whole chart of all speeds somewhere on the web but I forgot the link.

[Merrin]

Right, warp speed, hmm!

It is an exponenetial scale. Warp 1 is roughly c (speed of light). then the speeds are as follows:

Warp Factor

2 = 10 x c
3 = 39 x c
4 = 102 x c
5 = 214 x c
6 = 392 x c
7 = 656 x c
8 = 1024 x c
9 = 1516 x c

As you approach warp 9, the exponent increases gradually. Above 9 it increases sharply the closer you get to 10 (the power usage approaches infinity). Warp 10 being impossible of course.

In our physics Energy = Mass x c (speed of light)sqrd Earlier posters are right as we increase velocity the mass of the object being moved increases and thus the energy required increases. At the speed of light an infinite mass requires an infinite energy source. Seems to me that the writers at startrek decided that a speed limit was needed and that the same principles we use now could be transposed to faster than light travel.

Merrin

Trying to ignore Einstein for the time being.

[MT39503]

Warp travel is very complex. To understand it fully you must have a firm grasp of the physics of our univese. According to Einstein, one can't travel faster than the speed of light in our part of the universe ( Relitivity). Warp travel is possible on Star Trek because of Subspace. The Warp engine ,with all of its parts, manage to create a 'Bubble of Subspace' around the ship. Since the laws of Relativity ( don't apply to subspace in the sense that one cannot break the light speed barrier) u can travel faster than light, hence Warp.

Check out these site for more info: http://www.startrek.com/library/techno.asp?ID=70301, http://www.startrek.com/library/techno.asp?ID=70302, http://www.startrek.com/library/techno.asp?ID=70303

Star Trek.com is a great place to learn more...

[MT39503]

Merrin

You are correct in saying that as u approah warp 10 your mass and energy consumption increases. However, you failed to mention what would happen to time at Warp 1. The closer u get to the warp barrier the slower time gets. Time confesates for velocity. This is how the Twin Paradox is explained.

MT39503

P.S.
For anyone who wants more info contact me through my website, e-mailing me, or pm me!