Category: Science > Cherenkov
One of the most intriguing aspects of science is the phenomenon known as "Cherenkov radiation," which occurs when a charged particle, such as an electron, travels through a medium like water or glass at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium. While the universal speed limit set by Einstein's theory of relativity states that nothing can exceed the speed of light in a vacuum, light travels slower in denser materials. When a particle breaks this light speed barrier in a medium, it emits a characteristic blue glow, similar to the sonic boom produced by an object exceeding the speed of sound in air. This effect is not only visually striking but also has practical applications in fields like particle physics and astrophysics, helping scientists detect high-energy particles from cosmic events.
