2007-11-05 06:50:42 · 4 answers · asked by baynhamr 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Cerenkov radiation happens when the speed of an electrically charged particle travels through a material exceeds the speed of light in the material.
Matter slows down light waves passing through it to below the speed of light in a vacuum. The reason why is that the electromagnetic field of light interacts with the matter (or the electrons in matter) which slows down the light waves. This is a really common effect. It is why glasses bend light.
When an electrically charged particle travels through a medium, it also interacts with the medium in a way similar to that of light. If the particle exceeds the speed of light in a medium it literally creates a wake of light traveling behind it. Literally a sonic boom of light. This is cerenkov radiation. For more information on the technical aspects, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation .
2007-11-05 09:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) First of all if you see it you are NOT going to die. I've seen it lots of times and I'm still here.
2) Its caused by particles travelling faster than the speed of lights so how is it possible. The speed of light in a vacuum is c, but in any medium it is less than c (eg Water it is 0.75c). So a charged particle, say a beta, entering at typically 0.9c fulfills the conditions for Cerenkov radiation, which is best described as the light equivalent of a sonic boom.
3) The betas coming off spent nuclear fuel into water cooling ponds in nuclear facilities cause this. Water is a brilliant nuclear shield by the way, that's what keeps us guys safe
2007-11-07 21:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by PAUL W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fast moving charge orients dipoles in an optical medium. The dipoles all return to their equilibrium position once the charge has passed and they will do so with a phase delay which is a function of the velocity of the charge. The relaxation is coherent and emits light in a patter resembling a cone if the charge moved through the medium faster than the local speed of light would be.
2007-11-05 06:58:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you see it, chances are you're going to die. So whether its possible or not is somewhat irrelevant.
Its only emitted when the "shock wave" exceeds the speed of light in the medium. It doesnt mean that light is going faster than 3e8 m/s.
2007-11-05 06:57:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋