The KATRIN experiment in Germany revealed that neutrinos are even lighter than previously thought, weighing less than 0.45 electron volts. By directly measuring electrons from tritium decay, scientists halved earlier mass estimates. This breakthrough helps unlock deep cosmic mysteries and advances our understanding of fundamental particle physics.
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The KATRIN experiment nearly halved the maximum possible mass for the subatomic particles.
New discovery related to neutrinos, which are tiny particles in the universe. Scientists have found that these particles are even lighter than thought before. The KATRIN experiment, based in Germany, played a key role in this discovery.
Neutrinos are very small, neutral particles that don’t have an electric charge. They are produced in radioactive decay, like when atoms break down, and also in places like the sun or during cosmic events.
They are super light—millions of times lighter than an electron—and scientists still don’t fully understand why they are so light. Knowing their exact mass could help to solve big mysteries in physics.
The KATRIN experiment measures the energy of electrons released during the decay of tritium, which is a heavy type of hydrogen. When tritium decays, it releases an electron and an antineutrino (a type of neutrino).
KATRIN studies neutrinos directly by observing radioactive decay in a lab. Other methods depend on observations of the cosmos, like looking at how galaxies move or how light travels through space, these cosmic methods depend on assumptions about how the universe works, which might not always be correct.
Scientists study the energy of the electrons to figure out how much mass the neutrino might have. Using 36 million electron measurements, they found that neutrinos weigh less than 0.45 electron volts, which is half the previous estimate.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements about Neutrinos:
Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Neutrinos are fundamental elementary particles defined, in part, by their lack of electric charge. They are electrically neutral. This is why they do not interact via the electromagnetic force. Statement 2 is correct: Neutrinos are classified as leptons. Leptons are fundamental particles that do not participate in the strong nuclear interaction. The strong force binds quarks together to form protons and neutrons and holds atomic nuclei together, but it does not act on leptons like electrons or neutrinos. Neutrinos primarily interact through the weak nuclear force and gravity. |
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