Can C be measured in MeV? If so is this per photon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the measurement of the speed of light (C) in MeV (mega-electronvolts), exploring whether this is applicable and how it relates to particle acceleration in physics. Participants examine the relationship between energy, mass, and speed, particularly in the context of particle accelerators and high-energy physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if C can be measured in MeV, recalling information about particle accelerators like ALICE and their energy levels.
  • Another participant clarifies that MeV is a unit of energy, while C is a speed, indicating that they are fundamentally different quantities.
  • It is noted that while particle accelerators aim to accelerate particles to high speeds, the energy associated with a particle can be expressed in MeV, but this does not equate to measuring speed in MeV.
  • A participant expresses confusion between energy and speed, suggesting a misunderstanding of how they relate in the context of particle physics.
  • Another participant raises a question about the energy requirements for heavier elements to achieve higher acceleration, linking this to the stability of super heavy elements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the original question regarding measuring C in MeV. There is a clear disagreement on the relationship between energy and speed, with some participants clarifying the distinction while others express confusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the relationship between energy, mass, and speed, particularly in high-energy physics contexts. There are unresolved assumptions regarding the implications of mass on speed and energy calculations.

EMFsmith
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Can C be measured in MeV?? If so is this per photon?

Basically as the title states, can you measure C in MeV, i read ALICE was nearing Acceleration of C at 14 MeV (These numbers are what i can remember from a while ago).

Then is that measure of 14 MeV for say a single atom, or does it apply for larger objects (More mass needs more energy to move it so i think not but i may as well ask)?

Oh wait, nothing can move at C can it because it hass mass.

Im starting to think, bad things usually ensue.

Any help would be great folks. :smile:
 
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No, not really.
MeV is a unit of energy, with the dimension of joule and c is a speed and has the dimension of meters per second.

However, the whole point of a particle accelerator is to accelerate particles to high speeds. The reason is that high speeds means high energy (kinetic energy) and this energy can then be used to for example create other particles.

Hence, if you know the energy of a particle (in for example MeV) and you know its mass you can quite easily calculate its speed.
This is why particle physicists talk about accelerating particles to a certain energy.

Also, note that the equations break down if you try to set the speed of a particle to c, this means that there is no energy that corresponds to c.
 


EMFsmith said:
Basically as the title states, can you measure C in MeV, i read ALICE was nearing Acceleration of C at 14 MeV (These numbers are what i can remember from a while ago).

Then is that measure of 14 MeV for say a single atom, or does it apply for larger objects (More mass needs more energy to move it so i think not but i may as well ask)?

Oh wait, nothing can move at C can it because it hass mass.

Im starting to think, bad things usually ensue.

Any help would be great folks. :smile:

You are confusing energy (i.e. the kinetic energy) with speed (c).

Zz.
 


So the heavier elements need higher MeV to reach higher acceleration, is this why you can't just keep combining elements like ununoctium to create super heavy elements?
Im guessing they would be ridiculously unstable anyway but that's for another post i think.
 

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