Understanding Neutrinos: The Elusive Particles from Space

In summary, particles called neutrinos arrive from space and pass through the earth due to their small mass and lack of charge, which limits their interaction with heavier charged matter. They travel at close to the speed of light and interact with matter through the weak force, making them almost transparent to ordinary matter. Further reading on nuclear reaction cross-sections may provide more information on neutrinos.
  • #1
Marilena1983
7
0
Particles from space?

Which particles arrive from space and pass through the earth?

How is this possible?

Are they called neutrinos?
 
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  • #2


Marilena1983 said:
Which particles arrive from space and pass through the earth?

How is this possible?

Are they called neutrinos?

Do a quick search on Neutrino at www.wikipedia.org for an introductory article.

If you ever get a chance to watch this episode of Nova, you will probably enjoy it:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/neutrino/

.
 
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  • #3


is it because they have little mass and no charge? So this means they would have limited interaction with heavier charged matter?
 
  • #4


Marilena1983 said:
is it because they have little mass and no charge? So this means they would have limited interaction with heavier charged matter?

Is that what the wiki article says? Certainly no charge would be a factor.
 
  • #5


it says that they are electrically neutral and that they travel at the speed of light.

i don't really understand what it means about "neutrinos traveling through matter undergo a process analogous to light traveling through a transparent material"
 
  • #6


Marilena1983 said:
it says that they are electrically neutral and that they travel at the speed of light.

i don't really understand what it means about "neutrinos traveling through matter undergo a process analogous to light traveling through a transparent material"

They travel close to the speed of light, not at it. Anything with non-zero rest mass cannot make it up to the speed of light.

The "miniscule" mass and charge neutrality probably are the main contributors to the very small reaction cross-section of neutrinos. You might do some reading about nucleear reactrion cross-sections to see if they discuss the neutrino.
 
  • #7


Marilena1983 said:
it says that they are electrically neutral and that they travel at the speed of light.

i don't really understand what it means about "neutrinos traveling through matter undergo a process analogous to light traveling through a transparent material"
Neutrinos interact with the nuclei, or more particularly the nucleons, in matter via the weak force. Consider the size or volume of the nucleus compared to the size of the atom. Ordinary matter is rather transparent to neutrinos.
 

1. What are particles from space?

Particles from space refer to any type of matter that originates from outside of Earth's atmosphere. These can include cosmic rays, solar wind, and interstellar dust.

2. Where do particles from space come from?

Particles from space can come from a variety of sources, such as the sun, other stars, supernovae, and even distant galaxies. They can also be created through interactions between cosmic rays and Earth's atmosphere.

3. How do particles from space affect Earth?

Particles from space can have a variety of effects on Earth, depending on their type and intensity. They can contribute to the Earth's atmospheric and magnetic processes, influence weather patterns, and even cause disruptions in communication systems and power grids.

4. Can particles from space be harmful to humans?

Some particles from space, such as high-energy cosmic rays, can pose a risk to human health if exposed in large doses. However, Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field provide protection from most of these particles, and scientists continue to study their potential effects on human health.

5. How do scientists study particles from space?

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to study particles from space, including telescopes, satellites, and ground-based detectors. They also conduct experiments in space and analyze data collected from missions to better understand the behavior and effects of these particles.

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