Old experiments with superluminal speed

In summary, the discussion was about two articles, one of which was an April Fool's joke and the other was an experiment that was erroneously interpreted. The validity of the experiment was questioned and it was pointed out that according to quantum mechanics, photons do not have a definite velocity. The discussion also touched upon the importance of considering the context of quantum field theory in such discussions. Overall, the general consensus was that the experiments were not credible.
  • #1
Molecule
5
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.
 
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  • #3
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.
 
  • #4
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.
 

1. What are "old experiments with superluminal speed"?

"Old experiments with superluminal speed" refer to experiments that were conducted in the past to investigate the possibility of objects traveling faster than the speed of light, also known as superluminal speed. These experiments were based on theories and ideas that have since been disproven by modern physics.

2. Were any of these experiments successful?

No, none of the old experiments with superluminal speed were successful. Despite some initial results that suggested the possibility of superluminal speed, further research and experimentation has shown that it is not possible for objects to exceed the speed of light.

3. Why were these experiments conducted in the first place?

These experiments were conducted because, at the time, there were theories and ideas that suggested the possibility of objects traveling faster than light. Scientists wanted to test these theories and see if they could be proven through experimentation.

4. What have we learned from these old experiments?

From these old experiments, we have learned that the theories and ideas that suggested the possibility of superluminal speed were incorrect. We now know that the speed of light is the maximum speed at which anything can travel in the universe.

5. Are there any current experiments being conducted on superluminal speed?

No, there are currently no experiments being conducted on superluminal speed. Modern physics has disproven the possibility of objects traveling faster than the speed of light, so there is no need for further experimentation in this area.

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