How do photons interact with nuetrons or other uncharged particles?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interaction of photons with uncharged particles, specifically neutrons and neutrinos. Participants explore the mechanisms of these interactions and the implications of photon behavior in the presence of dense neutron masses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about how photons interact with uncharged particles like neutrons and neutrinos.
  • One participant questions the basis for believing that photons can interact with neutrons.
  • Another participant speculates on the outcome of a photon striking a dense mass of neutrons, wondering if it would pass through or interact with the neutrons.
  • A later reply suggests that photons can interact with neutrons through the magnetic moment of the neutron, despite its neutral charge, due to its quark composition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of photon interactions with uncharged particles, and multiple competing views remain regarding the mechanisms and outcomes of such interactions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of photons and neutrons, as well as the implications of their interactions, which remain unresolved. The references provided may contain additional information but are not universally accepted within the thread.

Mu naught
Messages
208
Reaction score
2
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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Undergrad How prone is a photon to interacting with uncharged structureless particles?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Graduate Photons through transparent materials, what's going on?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
8K
Undergrad What is the true nature of microscopic particles when not interacting?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
The behaviour of an uncharged dielectric particle in a capacitor
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad How do photons transfer energy?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Photon-Electron-Quanta: Explained Simply
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad How a mirror works: condensed matter explanation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Interaction mechanisms of photons and electrons with matter
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
My fantasy story idea with photon particles
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate Carrier relaxation within a quantum well
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K