So are these hypothetical dolphins capable of building a Michelson interferometer but incapable of building a vacuum chamber in which to test it?EnumaElish said:If dolphins thought the universe was just a really big ocean, and if they had come up with the theory of general relativity, how would the fact that certain particles radiate faster than light through water shape their version of the theory? Would it be essentially the same with the human version, except "c" would denote the speed of the fastest measured (or the fastest possible) radiation in water?
russ_watters said:So are these hypothetical dolphins capable of building a Michelson interferometer but incapable of building a vacuum chamber in which to test it?
Cherenkov radiation is a phenomenon in which charged particles travel through a medium at a speed faster than the speed of light in that medium, creating a characteristic blue light. It is known to occur in certain situations where particles are accelerated, such as in particle accelerators or when high-energy cosmic rays enter the Earth's atmosphere. In General Relativity, the speed of light is a fundamental constant that is intimately connected to the curvature of spacetime, so any discussions of Cherenkov radiation in the context of GR would likely involve the curvature of spacetime and its effects on the propagation of light.
It is unlikely that dolphins would experience Cherenkov radiation in the same way that humans do, as they do not have access to particle accelerators or other high-energy sources. However, the concept of Cherenkov radiation may still be applicable in understanding the behavior of light and particles in the ocean, as water has a different speed of light compared to air or vacuum, and the dolphins' environment is subject to various gravitational forces that could affect the curvature of spacetime.
Studying Cherenkov radiation in the context of dolphins' environment could provide insights into how light and particles behave in media with different properties, such as the ocean. This could potentially help us better understand the effects of spacetime curvature on the propagation of light, and how this may differ in various environments. Additionally, studying Cherenkov radiation in dolphins' environment could also provide insights into the potential effects of high-energy events, such as supernovae or gamma-ray bursts, on marine life.
To date, there is no scientific evidence of Cherenkov radiation being observed in marine animals, including dolphins. However, there have been studies investigating the potential effects of high-energy events, such as cosmic rays, on marine life. These studies suggest that marine animals may have developed adaptations to protect themselves from the potential effects of such events, but more research is needed in this area.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Cherenkov radiation played a role in the evolution of dolphins. Evolution is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions and genetic mutations. While studying Cherenkov radiation in dolphins' environment may provide insights into how they interact with their surroundings, it is unlikely that it played a direct role in their evolution.