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 (15[1])by quantum field theory. (15[1])Otto von Guericke (15[1])demonstrated this medium’s properties in the Magdeburg (15[1])hemispheres experiment. This medium has a refractive index of (*) one, and its permittivity and permeability are symbolized epsilon-naught (10[1])and mu-naught. This medium’s namesake tubes were formerly used in computers instead of transistors. The maximum possible speed is the speed of light in, for 10 points, what medium in which matter is absent? ■END■

Back to tossups

Buzzes

Summary