'Mach c'? Scientists observe sound traveling faster than the speed of light

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In this schematic of the acoustical test system the scientists could create superluminal group velocity of sound waves as well as negative group velocity. In the latter case the peak of the output pulse traveling through the loop filter exited the fi ...
In this schematic of the acoustical test system, the scientists could create superluminal group velocity of sound waves, as well as negative group velocity. In the latter case, the peak of the output pulse traveling through the loop filter exited the filter before the peak of the input pulse had reached the beginning of the filter. Image credit: Bill Robertson, et al.

For the first time, scientists have experimentally demonstrated that sound pulses can travel at velocities faster than the speed of light, c. William Robertson’s team from Middle Tennessee State University also showed that the group velocity of sound waves can become infinite, and even negative.


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All News summaries for January 17, 2007