Recently, I found a popular science article about neutrinos, linked here: https:
ID: 1583249 • Letter: R
Question
Recently, I found a popular science article about neutrinos, linked here:
https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2018/02/15/586010310/how-to-detect-a-ghost-particle
Here’s some more background on the neutrino:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-a-neutrino/
In the first article, there’s also a link to a virtual tour of a neutrino detection facility!
http://www-sk.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/panorama/SKXMASS-EN/
Okay, so I want you first to read both of the above articles for background. Then go and do the tour. It’s really cool, I promise. Explore a little bit. Looking at this tour reminded me of my first time in a big government lab—there are usually some surprises. Now, answer the following questions
What is a neutrino? Is it a fundamental particle, i.e., can it be broken up into other particles?
What are some examples of processes that produce neutrinos?
How do neutrinos interact with most matter?
Write 3-5 sentences on something you found interesting or surprising about the tour.
Explanation / Answer
Nuetrino one of the fundamental particles in Lepton group of particles. It can not be broken up into further smaller particles,but can possibly transform it self from one type of nuetrino to another type.There ar three types of Nuetrinos: electron-nuetrino, Muon Nuetrni and Tau Nuetrino, each associted with electron,muon and Tau particle respectively.
They carries little or no mass and no charge which makes it difficult to detect,inspite of the fact they are very abundanty populated in Universe. They are said to be similar to electron!!!( eventhough they carry no mass or charge).This seems to be based on fact that both particles interact with environment through weak forces with total absence of strong force interaction.
Apparently,neutrinos were conjured by Physicists to acount for unaccouned spin in Nuclear reactions (without disturbing the mass balance or charge balance),which eventually are responsible for cosmic evolution. Nuetrinos thus, are products of nuclear reactions taking place during cosmic evolution processes.
The three types of Nuetrinos are electron-nuetrino, Muon Nuetrni and Tau Nuetrino.
They are detected through their weak interactions which result in Cerenkov Radiation in water,ice,or liquid. The edifice of the detectors of such mighty sizes are built up only to measure particles with near zero mass and near zero charge!!! What a "spin" ? or is it like Shakespear said " Much a do about ' Nothing' ?
The Interactive tour of the facility is stupendous! The way it allows you to visit each nook and corner of the detector is unbeleivable. But I would have loved to see more blurbs with explanatory notes. More over I would have loved to see a write-up on the out put of the detector in more detail along with clear photos .
BTW,thanks for this Q- learnt a lot from it.
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