The Physics of Time Travel
Abstract: The subject of time travel has made for fascinating science fiction stories for generations. But is time travel no more than the product of over-active imaginations? What area of science do we go to for answers? In my comprehensive exercise talk, I will indirectly address these questions by examining what the laws of physics and mathematics have to say about time travel. Specifically, I will investigate different definitions of what we mean by time travel, the physics that are involved, and what would have to be possible to allow for different kinds of time travel according to our current understanding of the physical laws of the universe. I will focus primarily on what we know from Albert Einstein’s special relativity theory, and also touch on aspects of his general relativity theory. I will also address the existence of wormholes and how they might provide for time travel. Finally, I will bring up laws of causality and restrictions they place on time travel.