How to make a time machine? Things you should know!

Time travel in a movie can be fascinating to watch. But actual time travel can be an experience beyond this universe! That’s why many people search ‘how to make a time machine’ on search engines. 

It is still practically impossible. The science-fiction movies keep encouraging our imagination, but there are only theories about it. So, let’s dig into these theories and find out how to make a time machine!

Disclaimer-  These are all theories. There is no practical evidence to prove that these theories can actually help you build a time machine.  

The theories of time travel

We have been digging into time travel since the 16th century. There are some fascinating science-fiction novels from this century. That imagination gave wings to the theories that underpin time travel as a whole. That’s why we are going to study these theories with examples from science-fiction movies!

The Einstein theory

Albert Einstein, the great scientist, gave us a time theory that changed our perspective of time. His theory of relativity proved the difference in the passage of time for each person. When we say, ‘ the time went fast’ or, ‘the time slowed down,’ this feeling is actually what happens in time travel!

This theory says that the passage of time can be different for each person depending on how they move. Time can be relative! Time travel deals with space and time. These factors affect the relativity of time for a person. This creates a time paradox, which is called the twin paradox. 

Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly, twin brothers, and astronauts, were sent to the International Space Station. Mark came back to earth after spending 54 days in orbit. But Scott spent 520 days. When he came back to earth, he was one minute younger than his twin brother. 

Example: The perfect example of Einstein’s general theory of relativity can be found in Christopher Nolan’s iconic movie Interstellar (2014). Matthew McConaughey was sent to space to find an alternate planet. Because he was traveling at a certain speed, his daughter ages faster than him at the end of the film. 

The subatomic theory

Time travel needs you to match the speed of light. You will have to travel at the speed of 299792458 miles per second. This will create a time warp. Time is considered to be traveling in a straight line. To make time travel possible, we have to bend it. And that’s why the time warp. 

If we propel subatomic particles into space with the speed of light, they will cross galaxies within a minute. From their perspective, life on earth would move in slow motion. But from our point of view, it will all look like a hyper-lapse video.   

Example: The perfect example of this would be the movie character Flash. This DC movie character has the speed of light. When he moves at a fast speed, everything appears in slow motion to him. But others can’t see anything!

The gravity & light theory

You must have heard about the parallel universe theory. It talks about a rotation in the universe. Gravity affects light! Because of gravity, this universe would drag the light around with it, creating a time loop. In this time loop, a person would be able to travel in the past.

Although we haven’t found any proof that the universe itself rotates. Scientists still believe that a long cylinder spinning on its axis at the speed of light may let us travel to our past.

Example: You can find an example of this theory in Star Wars movies. They select a time loop in their ships and travel in different timelines. 

The wormhole theory

The cylindrical bend that we talked about earlier forms a connection between space and time. This phenomenon is called a wormhole. It looks like a subway with an entrance and an exit. This phenomenon is still debatable. 

This wormhole may allow us to time travel, but it is filled with destructive components called negative energy. It destroys everything that goes into the wormhole. We will need something to anti-gravitate the wormhole. Only we can stabilize the wormhole and create a subway to time travel. But where we would land on the other end of the wormhole is still unanswered!

Example:  In the movie Interstellar (2014), you will see a sequence where they encounter a wormhole. With amazing visual effects, they have created an image of a wormhole. 

The black hole theory

The black hole theory considers using a black hole as a subway to time travel. No one knows what is there in a black hole. But there’s a theory that says a black hole could be a cylindrical structure, like a wormhole that connects space and time. 

It is said to have different universes combined in one place. If we can find a way to travel into a black hole without the negative energy destroying us, we can manage to land on a specific timeline. 

Example: Again, Interstellar (2014) is the perfect example of this. With realistic visual effects, the movie showed the whole journey of the main character into a black hole. In the black hole, he discovers the fifth dimension of time, where he can interfere with other parallel timelines. This sequence is said to be a near-perfect illustration of the black hole theory. 

The rules of Time Travel

To learn How to Make a Time Machine, you need to understand the rules of it. You might have known these rules from science-fiction books and movies. 

• You can’t change the past. It will create a disturbance in the flow of time. 
• You can’t bring anything from the other timeline into yours. 
• You can’t encounter your present self in another timeline. 

To build a time machine, you must combine all these theories and create a medium for travel. But you will also have to make sure to break the atoms into nano-particles to make them travel at the speed of light. All of this is currently practically impossible. 

Key takeaways!

• Time travel is still impossible because all these theories can’t be tested practically. 
• Scientists are trying to make a time machine, but it all seems possible in science-fictional movies.
• You will find several people claiming to time travel, like Alexander Smith. But no one has concrete proof to support their claim.

We all are time travelers. We travel to the future by one second at a time. But the idea of time travel fascinates us all. Let us know if you found this article helpful.

Liked this blog? Read next: 25 Amazing Astronomy Facts You Should Know!

FAQs

Q1. What are the other ways to time travel?

Answer: You can time travel by suspended animation. You can slow your perception of time by stopping the process of your body and restarting it. But it is still a theory!

Q2. How soon can time travel be possible?

Answer: According to scientists, we will be able to time travel in the next 20 years.

Q3. What do I have to study to know more about time travel?

Answer: You need to study quantum physics to understand the theories and elements that go under time travel. 

Q4. Is Alexander Smith really a time traveler?

Answer:- It is still debatable if he is actually a time traveler because time travel is still a fictional concept for us.