Re: Weird question...

[David Bowman <dbowman@tiger.gtc.georgetown.ky.us>]

Dwight S. asks:        

>         I have a question that I and a friend have been arguing about.  I 
>  was wondering if someone could help me out?  The question is this:
>
> If 2 people are 2 light years apart.  Person 1 wants to signal Person 2.  
> Person 1 has a laser and a rigid stick that is just a few inches short of 
> 2 light years in length (almost touching Person 2).  At the exact same 
> time, the laser is shown at Person 2 and the rigid pole is pushed into 
> Person 2.  Which will reach Person 2 first?
>
> Assume the pole is rigid and there is no sideway flexing.
>
> If someone could please help us out, it would be very greatly appreciated.

The very concept of rigidity requires the concept of instantaneous action at
a distance, and therefore contradicts relativity.  Your question is much like
asking what would happen if an irresistable force met up with an immovable
object.  Both require the existence of a conceptual contradiction.

David Bowman
dbowman@gtc.georgetown.ky.us