Neutrinos Pass Through Earth: Fact or Fiction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of neutrinos as they pass through the Earth, focusing on their interactions with matter and the implications of their weak interaction properties. Participants explore theoretical aspects of neutrino physics and the nature of particle interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that neutrinos move in straight lines and most pass through the Earth without interacting with matter.
  • There is a claim that at the scale of neutrinos, the concept of a "particle" differs from classical definitions, emphasizing the role of interactions mediated by force carriers.
  • It is noted that neutrinos interact only via weak interactions and gravity, with electromagnetic interactions being negligible.
  • One participant emphasizes that the probability of neutrinos interacting with atomic particles is extremely small, suggesting that from a neutrino's perspective, the atomic particles in the Earth are effectively non-existent.
  • A later reply references the T2K experiment as an example related to the discussion, implying its relevance to neutrino interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the weak interaction properties of neutrinos and their ability to pass through matter. However, the implications of these properties and the interpretation of what it means for neutrinos to interact with matter remain contested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on complex concepts in quantum field theory and the nature of particle interactions, which may involve assumptions about the definitions of particles and interactions that are not fully articulated.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying particle physics, particularly in the context of neutrino behavior and interactions, as well as researchers involved in experimental physics related to neutrinos.

jayaramas
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a neutrino moves in a straight line until it hits a particle head on. it is also said that most of the neutrinos pass through the earth!. do u mean to say that total number of all the atomic particles in the diameter of 12000km of the Earth is as good as not there?
 
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jayaramas said:
a neutrino moves in a straight line until it hits a particle head on. it is also said that most of the neutrinos pass through the earth!. do u mean to say that total number of all the atomic particles in the diameter of 12000km of the Earth is as good as not there?

You need to understand that at the scale of neutrinos, there is no such thing as a "particle" in the classical sense!

What causes two entities to interact is the coupling of one to the other via some mechanism. You can feel stuff because the particles of your body interact with other objects via electromagnetic interactions. You also get stuck to the Earth because your body interacts with the Earth via gravity. In quantum field theory, these interactions are mediated by a "force carrier". In electromagnetic case, it is by virtual photons.

So the key thing here is that there is a coupling between two objects that can interact via the SAME interaction. Neutrinos ONLY interact via weak interaction and gravity. That's it. No electromagnetic interactions (or at least, severely, extremely small). Since these two ways to couple to neutrinos are every week, the probability of a neutrino interacting with anything is thus, extremely small as well! The most common way of interaction, i.e. electromagnetic interaction, isn't available to neutrinos.

Zz.
 
jayaramas said:
a neutrino moves in a straight line until it hits a particle head on. it is also said that most of the neutrinos pass through the earth!. do u mean to say that total number of all the atomic particles in the diameter of 12000km of the Earth is as good as not there?

ZapperZ said:
Neutrinos ONLY interact via weak interaction and gravity. That's it. No electromagnetic interactions (or at least, severely, extremely small). Since these two ways to couple to neutrinos are every week, the probability of a neutrino interacting with anything is thus, extremely small as well! The most common way of interaction, i.e. electromagnetic interaction, isn't available to neutrinos.

In other words:
Yes, we mean to say that the total number of all the atomic particles in the diameter of 12000km of the Earth is as good as not there, from the perspective of a neutrino.
 
And this is why T2K works!
 

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