Assignment Four (Simulator Room)

[Malefact]

Right! No House Points, then.

Light speed is 300000000 m/s.
We want to step up so that when we are subjectively running at 6 m/s we are objectively running at light speed.

Try a ratio of 1/50000000

6*50000000=300000000

Geddit?

We must all now step up to this ratio - one at a time. When you have stepped up, walk VERY SLOWLY AND VERY CAREFULLY over to your starting position on the race track. There is a 2 Light Second gap between each starting position so that people don't bump into each other when running.

Once everyone has taken up their position, I will tell you when to start moving. You will start at a very slow walk and gradually speed up to a fast dash. During this acceleration, you will break the light barrier. When you are travelling at light speed or more, strange things will start to happen. If at any time you wish to slow down, you may.


Set 1/50000000

*FOLD*

(remember: the value is 5 with seven zeroes after it)

Now, each of you step up as well and take up your positions on the race track. Don't start running until I give the word, though. Enjoy the ride.

[GreenDragon]

*Follows instructions*

WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!! This is fun! ;D

[Snowwiewolf]

*Does as is instructed*
"Jee hee look at me I'm a road runner!"

[Malefact]

I thought I told you not to start running!

Take your positions...

When I give the word, start moving forwards very slowly. Then, gradually accelerate until you are running flat out. When you break the light barrier, describe to me what you see.

Note: because this racetrack is in space, there won't be much disorientation due to the massive step up - in much the same was that the Moon doesn't change position no matter how fast you run on Earth at normal speed.


Ready... GO!!!

[Malefact]

Ahem. **GO!!**

Stone the crows, alright - I'll show you!

*starts running*

I need to run as fast as I can to reach 6 m/s. I haven't reached it yet and nothing has changed (the speed of light is the same no matter how fast you travel, provided your speed is less than the speed of light). I'm increasing speed...

OK, I'm now going faster than light speed. What I'm seeing is very disconcerting - it looks like I'm slowly running backwards but I'm still going forwards. Weird. I'm slowing down now because this is making me feel very giddy. I haven't done this for a long time and as such I am out of practice.

Feel free to have a go yourselves. Lesson Five will be presented very soon.

[ringmasterrob]

I am slightly lost as of what the question is, if you could explain the question once more I will try to volunteer an answer ;D
(p.s. sorry for not being around too much had a ton of assignments to sort out, I will be on a lot more now though)

[Malefact]

There isn't really a question as such - the purpose of this assignment is to experience what it's like to travel faster than light. There isn't any time left for this now, though, unfortunately - lesson five has to start now to save us from falling behind schedule.

(Don't worry about not being able to be around much - I've had assignments and such to do myself and know how time-consuming they can be.)

[ringmasterrob]

(ok ;D)

[Snowwiewolf]

(thanks )

[Malefact]

(you're welcome! )

[ringmasterrob]

what is the next lesson?

[Malefact]

Well, Lesson Five will be up any day now and it will be the final lesson of this term, so it will be something a bit special.