24 Mar 11, 03:50PM
The mechanical motion of the molecules of the stick is not instantaneous. It takes time for the molecules in it to interact with each others' electric fields (think "elasticity"). In fact, mechanical compulsion is a much slower force than the speed of light. It is much faster in a solid than, say, air -- and we call it "sound" when it is a vibration rather than a single motion -- but the speed of sound is an astronomical snail's pace.
Also, a stick that big would collapse into a simpler form under its own weight anyway.
Also, a stick that big would collapse into a simpler form under its own weight anyway.