Can electrons move faster than Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the claim that electrons or related phenomena can move faster than the speed of light, specifically in the context of an article discussing pulsar phenomena and polarization currents. Participants explore the implications of these claims, the nature of the currents involved, and the distinction between particle speed and wave speed.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the article claims that electron currents are moving six times the speed of light.
  • Another participant clarifies that the article refers to polarization currents, not electrons, and notes that charged particles themselves move slower than the speed of light.
  • A participant draws an analogy to wave group velocity exceeding the speed of light while particles in the wave travel slower.
  • One participant expresses that they have gained clarity from another article, which supports a superluminal model involving polarization currents in pulsars, induced by the neutron star's magnetic field.
  • Another participant comments on the tone of responses, suggesting that sensationalist titles can lead to misunderstandings and expressing that learning is a positive process.
  • A participant mentions that electrons can exceed the speed of light in a dielectric medium, referencing Cherenkov radiation as an example.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of the article and the nature of the currents discussed. There is no consensus on the implications of the claims regarding faster-than-light movement.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions about the definitions of currents and the conditions under which particles may exceed the speed of light. The discussion includes references to both theoretical models and experimental phenomena without reaching a definitive conclusion.

mpolo
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It says polarization currents, not electrons. It specifically says that the charged particles themselves move slower than the speed of light. Please work on your reading comprehension.

This is analogous to how the group velocity of a wave can exceed the speed of light, but the particles in the wave all travel slower than the speed of light.
 
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Sorry I assumed polarization currents were electrons. I found another article that explains it much better so I think I get it now. Schmidt and Singleton's presentations provide strong support for a pulsar emission mechanism (the superluminal model) due to circulating polarization currents that travel faster than the speed of light. These superluminal polarization currents are disturbances in the pulsar's plasma atmosphere in which oppositely-charged particles are displaced by small amounts in opposite directions; they are induced by the neutron star's rotating magnetic field. Mystery solved. The underlined explanation is what I was looking for.

Khashishi this is a better way to answer a question its much less harsh.
 
mpolo said:
Khashishi this is a better way to answer a question its much less harsh.
He wasn't being harsh so much as just expressing a little frustration, IMO. There is a problem with posting sensationalist threads and titles about things that are almost certainly not true. We get that a bit too much here at the PF. But it's okay, you are just learning, which is a good thing. Just keep in mind that when you read a pop-science article, they will be using sensationalist phrases that are easily misunderstood.
 
BTW, there actually is a situation where an electron can travel faster than the speed of light (in a dielectric medium). Check out this wikipedia page for more information if you're interested:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation

:smile:
 

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