We all know that the speed of light is the fastest speed in the universe, which is C (speed of light)=299792458 meters per second, approximately equivalent to 300000 kilometers per second. Einstein’s special theory of relativity holds that the velocity of matter with a stationary mass cannot exceed it, otherwise its energy would be infinitely large. But in fact, the setting for the fastest speed of light is limited, that is, the speed of light in vacuum is the fastest. If it is not vacuum, then the speed of light in different media is also different. Under such conditions, can some substances move faster than the speed of light?
We all know that the speed of light is the fastest speed in the universe, that is, C (speed of light) =299792458 meters / second, which is about 300000 kilometers per second. Einstein’s special theory of relativity believes that the speed of matter with a stationary mass cannot exceed it, or its energy will be infinite. But in fact, the setting of the fastest speed of light is limited, that is, the speed of light in vacuum is the fastest. If it is not vacuum, the speed of light in different media is also different. Under such conditions, can some substances move faster than the speed of light?
As mentioned earlier, the speed of light in different media is different. For example, the number of light in water glass, air and other media is different. Physicists found that in water with refractive index n ≈ 1.33, the speed of light propagation is only 75% of that in vacuum. In this case, the speed of some substances (such as electrons) may exceed the speed of light in this water, Cherenkov radiation occurs when particles that exceed the speed of light in water are charged and pass through such a medium.
For example, in the nuclear power plant, when the nuclear power plant is just started, the electronic radiation phenomenon will stimulate this effect in the pool, making the pool produce blue glow instantly. This light is the typical characteristic of Cherenkov radiation.
The formation mechanism of this phenomenon is similar to sonic boom phenomenon. When supersonic aircraft and other flying objects reach or exceed the speed of sound propagation in the air, sonic boom phenomenon will appear. In fact, it is a phenomenon triggered by multiple shock waves formed by sound when the shock waves formed by sound cannot travel further. Its appearance is also slightly faster than that of sound.
Cherenkov radiation is a kind of short wavelength radiation, and its intensity is proportional to the velocity of incident charged particles. For short wavelength electromagnetic radiation, the intensity is higher, so Cherenkov radiation energy presents a blue glow.
