The reason why objects with mass cannot move at or exceed the speed of light is based on our current understanding of physics, particularly the theory of relativity formulated by Albert Einstein. According to this theory, there are a few fundamental principles that underlie the limitations on the speed of objects with mass:
Time Dilation: As an object accelerates and approaches the speed of light, time dilation occurs. Time slows down for the moving object relative to a stationary observer. This means that as an object with mass approaches the speed of light, time effectively slows down for it, making it impossible to reach or exceed the speed of light.
Mass Increase (Mass Dilation): As an object accelerates, its relativistic mass increases. The amount of energy required to accelerate the object further also increases. As the object approaches the speed of light, its relativistic mass would become infinite, requiring an infinite amount of energy to continue accelerating. This makes it physically impossible for an object with mass to reach or surpass the speed of light.
Energy Requirements: The closer an object with mass gets to the speed of light, the more energy is required to continue accelerating it. According to the theory of relativity, as an object approaches the speed of light, its energy requirements become increasingly infinite. This means that it would take an infinite amount of energy to accelerate an object with mass to the speed of light.
These principles collectively form the basis of the cosmic speed limit set by the speed of light. It's important to note that the theory of relativity has been extensively tested and verified through numerous experiments, and it aligns with our observations of the physical world. However, it's also worth mentioning that our understanding of the universe is not complete, and there may be new discoveries or theories in the future that could provide additional insights into this topic.