What's the Delay with a Wire to a Planet 1 Light Year Away?

In summary, if we were to make a wireless phone call to a planet 1 light year away, there would be a 1 year lag or time delay for the other party to hear what we say. However, if we used a long piece of wire to connect the two phones, the delay would be slower due to the speed of wave propagation along the wire. This is because information cannot travel faster than the speed of light. Also, energy is transmitted through the wire at a faster speed, but not as fast as the speed of light.
  • #1
IssacBinary
93
0
If we where to make a wireless phone call to a planet 1 light year away the lag/time delay would be 1 year.

They would have to wait 1 year to hear what we say today.

But if we used a long (long is an understatement) piece of wire connecting the 2 phones, what kind of delay would there be if any and why?
 
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  • #2
Transmission along a wire would be slower. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_propagation_speed"
 
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  • #3
Information can never travel faster than the speed of light.
 
  • #4
Doc Al said:
Transmission along a wire would be slower. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_propagation_speed"

I think energy is transmitted through the wire at the speed of greased lightning.
 
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  • #5
Fun Value said:
I think energy is transmitted through the wire at the speed of greased lightning.

not exactly a scientific response ;)

D
 

FAQ: What's the Delay with a Wire to a Planet 1 Light Year Away?

What is the difference between wire and wireless delay?

Wire delay refers to the time it takes for a signal to travel through a physical wire from one point to another. Wireless delay, on the other hand, refers to the time it takes for a signal to travel through the air from one point to another without the use of wires.

Which has a faster delay, wire or wireless?

Generally, wire delay is faster than wireless delay. This is because signals can travel through a wire at the speed of light, while wireless signals are limited by factors such as distance, interference, and the type of wireless technology used.

How does the type of wire or wireless technology affect the delay?

The type of wire or wireless technology used can greatly impact the delay. For example, traditional copper wires have a higher resistance and can cause longer delays compared to newer fiber optic cables. Similarly, newer wireless technologies such as 5G have lower latency and faster delays compared to older technologies like 3G.

Can the length of the wire or distance between wireless devices affect the delay?

Yes, the length of the wire or the distance between wireless devices can affect the delay. As the distance increases, the delay also increases due to the time it takes for the signal to travel. This is why fiber optic cables are often preferred for long-distance communication, as they have lower resistance and can transmit signals at higher speeds.

Which is more reliable, wire or wireless delay?

Wire delay is generally more reliable compared to wireless delay. This is because wires are less susceptible to interference and external factors that can affect the signal transmission, whereas wireless signals can be disrupted by physical barriers, weather conditions, and other wireless devices in the same frequency range.

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