Round 6: Tossup 10

In what has been called the “worst theoretical prediction in the history of physics,” the measured energy of this medium is many orders of magnitude smaller than its zero-point energy predicted by quantum field theory. Otto von Guericke demonstrated this medium’s properties in the Magdeburg hemispheres experiment. This medium has a refractive index (15[1])of (*) one, and its permittivity (-5[2])and permeability are symbolized epsilon-naught and (10[1])mu-naught. (10[3])This medium’s namesake tubes were formerly (10[2])used in computers instead of (10[1])transistors. (10[1])The maximum possible (10[1])speed is the speed (10[1])of light in, for 10 points, (-5[1])what medium in which matter is absent? (10[1])■END■ (10[2]0[1])

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