How do photons interact with nuetrons or other uncharged particles?

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SUMMARY

Photons can interact with neutrons through the neutron's magnetic moment, despite neutrons being electrically neutral. When a photon strikes a dense mass of neutrons, it can interact with one of the three quarks that compose the neutron, one of which carries a negative charge. This interaction allows for momentum transfer, similar to how photons interact with charged particles like electrons. Understanding these interactions is crucial for fields such as particle physics and quantum mechanics.

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  • Basic understanding of quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with particle physics concepts
  • Knowledge of quark composition of neutrons
  • Understanding of magnetic moments in subatomic particles
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  • Research the properties of the neutron magnetic moment
  • Explore photon interactions in quantum electrodynamics
  • Study the role of quarks in particle interactions
  • Investigate experimental methods for observing photon-neutron interactions
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Physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental interactions of subatomic particles.

Mu naught
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Its easy to understand how a photon can transfer momentum to a charged particle like an electron, but I'm not sure how it would interact with something like a neutron or neutrino.

Could someone explain briefly?
 
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Mu naught said:
Its easy to understand how a photon can transfer momentum to a charged particle like an electron, but I'm not sure how it would interact with something like a neutron or neutrino.

Could someone explain briefly?

What makes you think they do?
 
Well maybe they don't.

If I have a dense mass of neutrons and a photon strikes it what would happen? Would it pass through or will it interact with one of the neutrons?
 
Apparently, the answer is that they can interact through the magnetic moment of the neutron. While it is indeed neutral, the neutron is still comprised of three quarks, one of which is negative.

http://ww.space.com/common/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4527
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_magnetic_moment
 
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