Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of a person standing in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and being struck by a single proton traveling at 99.999991% the speed of light. Participants explore the potential physical effects of such a collision, considering both theoretical and anecdotal evidence.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions whether a proton traveling at such high speed would burn a hole in their body or pass through without significant interaction.
- Another participant references anecdotal evidence of a person in the USSR who was hit by a particle beam, resulting in severe localized radiation burns, suggesting that a similar event could occur.
- A different viewpoint suggests that the energy of a single proton (approximately a microjoule) would likely cause minimal damage, potentially only heating up tissue or killing a few cells.
- There is speculation about the proton's interaction with atomic nuclei, with some participants arguing that at such high speeds, the proton might not collide in a traditional sense but rather pass through, depositing energy in the process.
- One participant mentions that Newton's penetration depth calculations may not apply in this scenario due to the nature of particle interactions at relativistic speeds.
- Another participant notes that if a single proton were to pass through, it might not be noticeable at all, referencing the high number of protons typically used in experiments.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the effects of a single proton collision, with no consensus reached on whether it would cause significant damage or be negligible. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of the interaction.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge the complexity of particle interactions at relativistic speeds and the limitations of classical physics in describing these phenomena. There are also uncertainties regarding the specifics of energy deposition and the conditions under which damage might occur.