Understanding Neutrinos: The Elusive Particles from Space

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The discussion revolves around the nature of neutrinos, specifically their ability to travel through the Earth and their interactions with matter. Participants are exploring the properties of neutrinos, including their mass, charge, and the implications of these characteristics on their interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question why neutrinos can pass through matter, considering their mass and charge. There are discussions about the implications of being electrically neutral and how this affects their interaction with matter. Some express confusion about specific concepts related to neutrinos' behavior in different media.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing insights from external sources and questioning the interpretations of those sources. There is a mix of understanding and confusion regarding the properties of neutrinos and their interactions, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference external articles and media for additional context, suggesting a reliance on available resources to deepen understanding. There is an acknowledgment of the complexities involved in discussing neutrinos and their interactions with matter.

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


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.
 


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"
 


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.
 


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.
 

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