Understanding Bremsstrahlung and Cerenkov Emission

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the concepts of Bremsstrahlung and Cerenkov emission, with participants seeking clarification on the mechanisms and details behind these phenomena. The scope includes theoretical explanations and conceptual understanding of light emission in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the differences between Bremsstrahlung and Cerenkov emission, expressing a desire for detailed explanations.
  • Another participant explains that Cerenkov light is emitted when particles exceed the speed of light in a medium, drawing an analogy to a sonic boom.
  • A subsequent post questions the underlying reasons for the emission of Cerenkov light, seeking further clarification on the phenomenon.
  • A participant provides a link that describes the process, noting that the electric and magnetic fields from a moving charge excite atoms in the medium, leading to the emission of radiation.
  • Another participant expresses understanding but seeks clarification on why the electric/magnetic fields excite the atoms, proposing a hypothesis about electron repulsion and energy levels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple viewpoints and questions regarding the mechanisms of Cerenkov emission, with no consensus reached on the specifics of the excitation process or the comparison to Bremsstrahlung.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the excitation of atoms by electric and magnetic fields, nor have they clarified the relationship between Bremsstrahlung and Cerenkov emission.

ArmoSkater87
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Bremsstrahlung and Cerenkov

I've been wondering about the different cases of light emittion, and the most unclear to me are Bremsstrahlung and chrenkoff. If u can, please give me details about these two cases. Thank You. :D
 
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Cerenkov Light

Cerenkov light is light that is emitted when particles travel faster than the speed of light in a medium. For example, if particles travel through glass at a speed faster than light itself would travel through glass, cerenkov light is emitted. It is analogic to the sonic boom.
 
yea, i already knew about that, i was wondering if u knew any details to why this sonic boom of light happens.
 
Check out this link: http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/balloon/cerenkov_radiation.html

"The electric and magnetic fields associated with a rapidly moving charge excite the atoms of the medium. The excited atoms emit part of their light in the form of a coherent wavefront of radiation at fixed angle with respect to the trajectory of the charged particle"
 
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k, thanks, that makes sense :D ...but why would the magnetic/electric field caused by the moving particle excite the atoms of the medium. I had a though but I am not sure, maybe the charge makes the electrons in the atom repell and go to an outer energy level, but not I am sure, any help would be great. :)
 

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