1997-98
NEW MEXICO
HIGH SCHOOL
SUPERCOMPUTING CHALLENGE

TEAM ABSTRACT

Team Number:

078

School Name:

Manzano High School

Area of Science:

Particle Physics

Project Title:

Tachyon Particle Simulation

Our project is based on the simulation of particles known as tachyons. Tachyons are theoretical particles which move faster than the speed of light. The concept of tachyons is derived from the quantum theory, which states that it is possible to accelerate a particle beyond the speed barrier. Tachyons violate time-order and have highly unique characteristics for a particle. When a tachyon loses energy, it accelerates. When it gains energy, it decelerates with c, the speed of light, as its lower limit. If the human eye could detect tachyons at all, two people viewing the same tachyon would see two different things.

The term tachyon comes from the Greek "Tachys," meaning "swift." To create a tachyon, a person would have to control the collision of particles. When particle collide, their kinetic energy is converted into the mass of the new particle. Energy would have to be concentrated in one place and one time in order to create such a particle. We will attempt to simulate the motion of a tachyon in space with respect to time.

Team Members:

• Scott Bennett
• Alex CdeBaca
• Lam Ho

Sponsoring Teacher(s):

• Paul Roensch
• Steve Schum

Project Advisor(s):

• None as yet