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I read the news this morning that scientists found some particles (neutrinos) which can travel faster than the speed of light. Is it real and possible?
Question Date: 2011-09-23
Answer 1:

Yes and no - there is a velocity, abbreviated 'c', which is roughly 300,000 km/sec, which is the speed at which light travels when unimpeded, and which nothing can exceed, not even neutrinos.

However, if light is traveling through any kind of medium, be it air, water, glass, diamond, etc., it slows down and does not travel at c. Neutrinos do not slow down when they hit these substances, but go right through them, still moving at speeds very close to c, which means that they can be moving faster that light does while in that medium. They still do not move faster than c.


Answer 2:

Scientists at the world's largest physics lab said Thursday they have clocked neutrinos traveling faster than light. CERN researchers are reportedly so astounded at the findings, and their apparent refutation of one of Einstein's basic tenets, that they are asking others to independently verify the measurements before claiming an actual discovery.



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