Question

The discrepancy between the theoretically predicted flux of neutrinos streaming from the Sun as a result of fusion reactions in the core and the flux that is actually observed. The observed number of neutrinos is only about half the predicted number.

a) Solar neutrino problem
b) Neutrino oscillation
c) Neutrino flux paradox
d) Neutrino deficit

Answer 1

The 'solar neutrino problem' refers to the observed deficit of electron neutrinos from the Sun compared to theoretical predictions. Neutrino oscillations, where electron neutrinos change into other types, explain this discrepancy. Observations confirm solar models are accurate, and neutrinos have mass.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discrepancy between the theoretically predicted flux of neutrinos from the Sun and the observed number of neutrinos is known as the solar neutrino problem. This issue arose because the number of electron neutrinos detected was significantly lower than expected. Researchers hypothesized that neutrino oscillations might be the cause, with electron neutrinos changing into muon neutrinos en route to Earth. This phenomenon significantly reduces the observed flux of electron neutrinos. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory later confirmed that solar models predict the total number of neutrinos accurately; however, two-thirds of the electron neutrinos transform into other types of neutrinos during their journey from the Sun to Earth. This finding also suggests that neutrinos have mass, which is a crucial insight for understanding dark matter.