Old experiments with superluminal speed

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity and interpretation of two articles related to experiments claiming superluminal speeds. Participants examine the credibility of these experiments and their implications within the framework of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory (QFT).

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the first article is an April Fool's joke, while the second article describes a serious experiment that has been misinterpreted.
  • One participant challenges the claim of erroneous interpretation, asking for proof to support the assertion.
  • Another participant suggests that if quantum mechanics is accurate, photons do not have a definite velocity, as this would violate the uncertainty principle.
  • It is proposed that while photons average a speed of c, individual photons may not always travel at that speed in a vacuum.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of the experiments, including whether they involved single photons and the implications of virtual particle creation in QFT.
  • There is a general sentiment that the experiments in question may not be credible, with one participant expressing skepticism about their authenticity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are competing views regarding the validity of the experiments and the interpretation of quantum mechanics in this context.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the experimental conditions and the definitions of terms used in the discussion, as well as unresolved questions about the nature of photon behavior in different contexts.

Molecule
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

I'm just wondering what the general opinion is of these two articles:

http://www.electrogravityphysics.com/html/speed_of_light.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3303699/We-have-broken-speed-of-light.html

It seems strange to me that if these two experiments were confirmed, they're not making bigger splashes in the scientific pond.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Bill_K said:
The first one is an April Fool's joke.
Do you have a proof to support your allegation?

If quantum mechanics is correct then photons do not have a definite velocity, because if they did the uncertainty principle would be violated.

On average it is c but a single photon does not definitely always travel at c in vacuum.
 
Passionflower said:
Do you have a proof to support your allegation?

If quantum mechanics is correct then photons do not have a definite velocity, because if they did the uncertainty principle would be violated.

On average it is c but a single photon does not definitely always travel at c in vacuum.

I'm sure the experiments were not one photon at a time. Also, I think the fundamental question should be discussed in the context of QFT. Then, we have to be careful about the model we are talking about and whether we are really keeping track of the same particle en route--random virtual particle creation, etc.

But, yeah... sounds like a hoax.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Light Exceeds Its Own Speed Limit?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Graduate Clarification on light speed experiment
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Very precise Michelson-Morley experiments
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
Graduate Does this experiment truly rule out non-local causality?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Undergrad Anomaly aggregation and confirming old paper validity
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Two speed of light experiments at different altitudes
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Undergrad What ever happened with NEC's experiment that exceeded the speed of light?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate LHC Experiments Challenge Speed of Light: 22nd Sept News
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Graduate Experiments probing the macroscopic limits of QM
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
13K
Graduate Is the Speed of Gravity Equal to the Speed of Light?
  • · Replies 66 ·
3
Replies
66
Views
13K