Neutrino/photon commonalities

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However, neutrinos have a very small mass, which means their deflection is very small and difficult to measure. This is because they travel at a speed very close to the speed of light. In summary, massive objects, such as the sun, do indeed deflect the paths of neutrinos, but this deflection is very small due to their tiny mass and high speed.
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HeavyWater
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TL;DR Summary
Do massive objects deflect the trajectories of neutrinos?
We know the results of Einstein's experiment in 1919. Simply stated, the sun deflected the paths of photons. The results were exciting for many reasons--one of which was that photons have no mass. Neutrinos do have mass. Do other massive objects, such as the sun, deflect the paths of neutrinos?
 
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Yes. Why would neutrinos be any different from any other massive particle in this regard?
 
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Thank you for the rapid response Orodruin.
 
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Orodruin said:
Yes. Why would neutrinos be any different from any other massive particle in this regard?
Don't Neutrinos have nonzero rest mass and still travel at lightspeed? Could this possibly give them the inertia needed to continue in a straight line, piercing stars and galaxies unbent as well as unslowed?
Doubtful, but do we know?
 
  • #5
They typically travel at a speed very close to but below the speed of light. The difference is too small to measure it but it is there.
Everything is deflected by gravity. This is a property of spacetime, it doesn't depend on the particle type.
 
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HeavyWater said:
Summary: Do massive objects deflect the trajectories of neutrinos?
To your question, general relativity tells us that mass bends space-time. So light and neutrinos are deflected by massive objects.
 
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1. What are neutrinos and photons?

Neutrinos and photons are both fundamental particles in the Standard Model of particle physics. Neutrinos are electrically neutral, weakly interacting particles that have a very small mass. Photons are massless particles that carry electromagnetic radiation.

2. How are neutrinos and photons similar?

Neutrinos and photons both have properties of waves and particles. They are both electrically neutral and can travel at the speed of light. They also have very little interaction with matter, making them difficult to detect.

3. What are the differences between neutrinos and photons?

The main difference between neutrinos and photons is their mass. Neutrinos have a very small mass, while photons are massless. Neutrinos also have weak interactions with matter, while photons have strong interactions with charged particles.

4. How are neutrinos and photons detected?

Neutrinos are detected using large detectors that are shielded from other particles. When a neutrino interacts with the detector, it produces a small amount of light or heat that can be detected. Photons are detected using instruments such as telescopes or cameras that are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.

5. What are the potential applications of studying neutrinos and photons?

Studying neutrinos and photons can help us better understand the fundamental laws of physics and the origins of the universe. It can also have practical applications, such as in medical imaging and energy production. Neutrinos can also be used to study the interior of stars and other celestial objects.

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