Theoretically, if we could break the light barrier, that is, exceed the speed of light, what might happen?
When something exceeds the sound barrier, what we hear is the sudden build-up and release of the high pressure shockwave as it travels by our location. Sound requires a medium in which to travel, since sound waves are really pressure waves. When you push your hand through some water and create a wave in front of your hand (a wavefront), you are creating pressure waves. In a supersonic vehicle, these pressure waves buildup and finally collapse when the vehicle exceeds the sound barrier (about 750 mph at sea level). Light, however, does not require a medium through which to travel. It can travel in total vacuum, since it is not a pressure wave, but an electromagnetic wave. This means that light (as well as radio, x-rays, microwaves, infrared, etc.) does not create a “buildup” of anything in front of it as it travels, as something moving through air or water might do. Since there is no buildup, there is nothing that needs to be released; there is no excess pressure. But, things would cert
