What happens when an infinite force collides with an object of infinite mass?

In summary: There's no limit to how much force can be applied to these two bodies, and at some point the two bodies will collide. The collision will create a lot of heat and kinetic energy, but the two bodies will remain in their original states.
  • #1
misogynisticfeminist
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I've received a hypothetical question. What happens if a force with magnitude collides upon an object with infinite mass? Is this a physically possible situation? If yes, state why, if no, state why as well.

I don't know much physics so what i did to answer it was to say that since [tex] F= \frac {dp}{dt} [/tex], we can draw a momentum time graph. And the only time when [tex] \frac {dp}{dt} [/tex] is infinity is when we have a vertical line t= something. Which means, that, momentum is undefined elsewhere, since momentum always have defined values, we say that this situation is not physically possible.

Is it also possible to say that momentum takes on complex values outside the line and since momentum is always real, this situation is not physically possible (something like faster than light travel).

Right?

I hope to hear some other alternatives...
 
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  • #2
First of all, if you are speaking about force, you need to state what body exerts the force. Even if we are talkin about the field, the field is provided by some object, or we need to consider the field itself as an object with mass.

Second, if you have a body with infinite mass, then any force, no matter how large it is , will not change the body state:
dv=F*dt/m==0. You may get the same result if you consider a collision between two balls with different mass, and look for a limit when one of the balls has an infinite mass.

Third, there is no problem to have an imaginary momentum. As a matter of fact, any decaying wave can be considered as a propagation with an imaginary momentum.
 
  • #3
I don't want to sound like a smart alek in saying this, but an object of infinite mass would have a gravitational field of infinite magnitude, regardless of the acting body's distance. Therefore the acting body would move to the infinite mass at an infinite acceleration. Instantly, the acting body would be gone just from having existed in the same universe as the infinite mass. Do you think that's right? Maybe the infinite mass would tear a hole in the universe and just sort of...fall out of it. Then we wouldn't have to worry about that mass anymore, but we'd still have a big hole in the universe. That would suck.

How about two bodies of infinite mass? Then you have a party!
 

FAQ: What happens when an infinite force collides with an object of infinite mass?

What is the concept of infinite force and mass?

The concept of infinite force and mass refers to a theoretical scenario where the force acting on an object and the mass of the object are both infinitely large. This scenario is often used in thought experiments and mathematical models to understand the behavior of objects under extreme conditions.

Does infinite force and mass exist in the real world?

No, infinite force and mass do not exist in the physical world. They are purely theoretical concepts used to simplify complex systems and make calculations more manageable.

Can infinite force and mass be observed or measured?

No, since infinite force and mass do not exist in reality, they cannot be measured or observed. They are simply mathematical concepts that can be used to make predictions and understand the behavior of objects in certain scenarios.

How does infinite force and mass impact the laws of physics?

Infinite force and mass do not impact the laws of physics, as these laws are based on observations and experiments in the physical world. However, they can be used in theoretical models to better understand the behavior of objects in extreme situations.

What are the implications of infinite force and mass in our understanding of the universe?

Infinite force and mass have helped scientists develop theories and models to explain phenomena such as black holes and the Big Bang. They have also led to a deeper understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and the behavior of matter in the universe.

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