Can a particle exceed the speed of light in water

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a particle can exceed the speed of light in water, which travels at approximately 2.25e8 m/s. Participants explore the implications of light's behavior in different media and the concept of Cherenkov radiation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of light and its speed in various media, questioning whether particles can exceed this speed. Some express confusion regarding the implications of energy equations and the concept of Cherenkov radiation. Others speculate on the behavior of particles like electrons and neutrinos in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing insights and references. Some guidance has been offered regarding the behavior of particles in relation to the speed of light in water, but no consensus has been reached on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that they have not yet covered certain topics, such as Cherenkov radiation, which adds to the complexity of the discussion. There are also references to the behavior of specific particles like neutrinos and electrons in relation to the question posed.

DODGEVIPER13
Messages
668
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Light travels through water at a speed of about 2.25e8 m/s. Is it possible for a particle to travel through water at a speed v greater than 2.25e8.


Homework Equations


E=(Rest Energy)/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)


The Attempt at a Solution


I realize that light requires no medium to propagate through and is massless and therefore nothing can exceed this speed since it would require infinite energy to do this. However when light passes through a dense media it scatters and slows through different refractive indexes. So I would thinnk the answer would be yes it is possible but then again I look tat the equation I gave for finding total energy and no matter what the value of c is if your numerator in higher it will become imaginary so by that equation it fails no matter what so would the answer be no?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thanks for the info and sorry for the grammatical errors all over the place. So by that article I assum the answer to the question would be yes but I am really stuck here because we haven't cover Cherenkov Radiation yet, so I am confused uggg. I would have to say the overwelming response seems to be yes.
 
DODGEVIPER13 said:

Homework Statement


Light travels through water at a speed of about 2.25e8 m/s. Is it possible for a particle to travel through water at a speed v greater than 2.25e8.


Homework Equations


E=(Rest Energy)/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)


The Attempt at a Solution


I realize that light requires no medium to propagate through and is massless and therefore nothing can exceed this speed since it would require infinite energy to do this. However when light passes through a dense media it scatters and slows through different refractive indexes. So I would thinnk the answer would be yes it is possible but then again I look tat the equation I gave for finding total energy and no matter what the value of c is if your numerator in higher it will become imaginary so by that equation it fails no matter what so would the answer be no?

Hint -- what particle can travel through the Earth at nearly the speed of light in a vacuum...?
 
The electron? Maybe I am sorry not trying to sound like a goober I am seriously trying to understand this.
 
DODGEVIPER13 said:
The electron? Maybe I am sorry not trying to sound like a goober I am seriously trying to understand this.

No, an electron would be stopped as soon as it hit the atmosphere inbound to the Earth. There is a particle (the major local source is the Sun) that basically does not interact with matter at all. Do some Googling to see if you can figure out which particle it is...
 
The neutrino I would assume it was what I was going to say but I figured it wasnt the answer.
 
Ok so the answer to my question is then yes because in water the c constant slows down and the neutrino a particle which doesn't interact with matter can pass right through a very near the speed of light.
 
DODGEVIPER13 said:
Ok so the answer to my question is then yes because in water the c constant slows down and the neutrino a particle which doesn't interact with matter can pass right through a very near the speed of light.

Sounds right to me :smile:
 

Similar threads

Inside glass, can I apply relativity of speed for light?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Undergrad What accelerates the light back to its constant speed?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Fizeau's Experiment (Speed of light)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
SR: Finding the speed of particles wrt the laboratory
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad A question about the speed of light and electromagnetism
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
5K
Refractive index of light from permittivity
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad One way speed of light
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
1K
What is the speed of the boat relative to the water?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Undergrad Why do we still say “the speed of light” instead of “c”?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Do magnets attract all metals, and is the speed of light in a water
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K