Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Article 10

Light is still the fastest


Title: Faster-than-light neutrino result queried

Date published: November 21, 2011 
Date Accessed: November 22, 2011

At the INFN-Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, a group of scientists said that they had discovered a substance known as neutrinos which travels at a speed faster than that of light. However, another group of scientists from the same laboratory proposed that the neutrinos do not travel faster than the speed of light. This has undermined the discovery which the scientists had claimed to have found in September. If proven true, neutrinos will dismiss all theories of modern physics including the widely used, Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity. Critics had earlier portrayed askance in this issue. The people all around the world are not ready to accept this theory until scientists from various parts of the world verify it. 

The speed of light is 300000000m/s. Till date that is the fastest speed ever recorded. The fact that the light is the fastest has helped formulate various theories. The very foundation of modern physics is based on it. To prove it false would be to undermine an entire century worth of intense physics research. Recent studies has shown that neutrinos may travel faster than light. This new shocked the entire world. However, a group of scientists, from the same laboratory, have argued that the light is still the fastest. Many people have portrayed askance on this issue and the research is still far than complete.

VOCABULARY

askance
with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval
ORIGIN late 15th cent.: of unknown origin.
The teacher looked at the student with askance when he gave the same excuse for not doing his homework as he had the week before.

undermine
damage or weaken
ORIGIN Middle English: from under- + the verb mine2, probably suggested by Middle Dutch ondermineren .
Tom had a habit of undermining whatever his friends said, which really annoyed them.

propose
put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others
ORIGIN Middle English: from Old Frenchproposer, from Latin proponere (seeproponent), but influenced by Latinpropositus put or set forth and Old Frenchposer to place.
The teacher proposed that the class goes on a field trip to understand the topic of American Revolution better.



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