So does the Higg field give the neutrino mass, and can neutrino velocity change?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the Higgs field and neutrino mass, as well as the potential variability of neutrino velocity. Participants explore theoretical implications within the context of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that neutrinos have mass, which allows for the possibility of varying speeds, with claims that they travel very close to the speed of light (c).
  • Others reference the Standard Model, suggesting that neutrinos can travel at any speed below c due to their small mass, which results in them typically moving close to c at normal energies.
  • One participant proposes that while the Higgs field can give mass to neutrinos, it does not fully explain their small mass, suggesting the Majorana mass term and the see-saw mechanism as better explanations.
  • A question is raised regarding the implications for massless particles like photons, which have momentum but are not affected by the Higgs field.
  • Another participant comments on the relevance of the thread, suggesting it may warrant a new discussion rather than being a continuation of an old one.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between the Higgs field and neutrino mass, as well as the implications for neutrino velocity. No consensus is reached regarding these topics.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the nature of neutrino mass and the applicability of the Higgs mechanism, which may not be fully resolved. The relationship between neutrinos and photons is also presented without definitive conclusions.

bananan
Messages
173
Reaction score
0
so does the Higg field give the neutrino mass, and can neutrino velocity change? how close to c is neutrino velocity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Neutrinos have mass. Therefore, they can vary in speed. It is hard to measure speed exactly, but they travel very close to c. Higgs field model presumably covers their mass as well as for anything else.
 
According to the standard model, a neutrino can travel at any speed lower than c. Because their mass is so small, at normal energies they travel at very close to c.
 
In the Standard Model, the neutrino can gain a mass from the Higgs field just as the other particles do. However with just this, it is difficult to explain why their masses are so small. A better idea is to give them a Majorana mass term, which naturally leads to small nuetrino masses via the see-saw mechnism.
 
How does this apply to a photon? They have no mass (presumably unsullied by the Higgs) but have momentum.

Is this a "now you have it, now you don't, moment"?
 
Why the necropost? This looks like a prime example for a new thread.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad New Upper Bound of Neutrino Mass
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Undergrad What happens when two Neutrinos collide?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
991
Undergrad How Do Neutrino Oscillations Reveal Their Masses?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Neutrino decay before electroweak breaking
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Atmospheric electron neutrinos
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad New cosmological neutrino mass constraint: sum<0.09 eV at 95% CL
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Graduate Proof that neutrino flavor oscillation implies nonzero neutrino mass?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Neutrinos: Fast or Slow? Can We Observe It?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate What is the problem with the particle masses in the Standard Model?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Where does the mass of a W boson come from in beta decay?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K