Advanced physics probelm involving conservation, from six ideas Unit C textbook

In summary, the main difficulty in estimating the average distance a neutrino would travel through lead before interacting is due to its small target area and the weak nature of the interaction, resulting in only about 1 in 10^12 neutrinos actually interacting with a quark. Using this information and Avogadro's number, the estimated distance is about 10^24 light years.
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Homework Statement



A neutrino must pass within about 10^-18m of a quark to have any chance of interacting with it. Thus, the maximum target area that a quark presents to a neutrino is about 10^-36m^2. However, a neutrino moves so quickly and the weak interaction is so weak that experimentally only about 1 in 10^12 typical neutrinos passing a quark within this radius actually interacts significantly with it. Use this information and the fact that Avagadro's number of protons and/or neutrons has a mass of about 1g and the fact that the density of lead is about 11g/cm^3 to estimate the average distance (in light years) that a neutrino would travel through the lead before it interacts.
 
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So what's your main difficulty?
 

1. What is the concept of conservation in physics?

The concept of conservation in physics refers to the principle that certain physical quantities, such as energy, momentum, and mass, remain constant in a closed system. This means that these quantities cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another.

2. How is the law of conservation of energy applied in advanced physics problems?

In advanced physics problems, the law of conservation of energy is applied by using equations and calculations to show that the total energy in a system remains constant. This can involve analyzing different forms of energy, such as potential and kinetic energy, and how they are transformed or transferred within the system.

3. Can you give an example of a conservation problem involving momentum?

An example of a conservation problem involving momentum could be a collision between two objects. The total momentum of the system before the collision will be equal to the total momentum after the collision, as long as there are no external forces acting on the system.

4. How does the concept of conservation relate to the laws of thermodynamics?

The concept of conservation is closely related to the laws of thermodynamics, specifically the first and second laws. The first law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. The second law states that in any energy transfer or transformation, some energy will inevitably be lost as heat, making it difficult to achieve 100% efficiency.

5. What are some real-world applications of conservation principles in physics?

Conservation principles in physics have many real-world applications, including in engineering, mechanics, and energy production. For example, the laws of conservation of energy and momentum are used in designing efficient engines and vehicles. Conservation of mass is important in chemical reactions and industrial processes. Additionally, the principle of conservation of energy is crucial in renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

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