Schematic view of the Cherenkov effect
Windows to the Universe original image
The Cherenkov Effect
The theory of relativity states that no particle can travel at
the speed of light in
a vacuum. However, light travels at lower speeds in
dense media, like water. A particle traveling in water must have a speed less
than the speed of light in a vacuum, but it is possible for it to
move faster than the speed of light in water.
If the particle is charged, it will emit radiation (light). This process
is similar to the sonic boom heard when an airplane exceeds the
speed of sound. Neutrino interactions with water can produce
such particles. Sensitive light detectors measure this
Cherenkov radiation in Neutrino experiments.
You might also be interested in:
On March 29, 2006 a total solar eclipse was visible from parts of Africa. Scientists from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana webcast live video coverage of this event. Windows to the Universe was a
...more
All of the matter and energy in the Universe was initially confined in a very small region until an enormous explosion occurred, causing the Universe to expand. This expansion continues today.
...more
The neutrino is an extremely light (and possibly massless) neutral particle. The neutrino belongs to the family of leptons, the particles that interact through the so-called weak force. For this reason
...more
Theories about fusion inside the solar core predict the number of neutrinos that should reach Earth. Experiments on Earth have been set up to detect solar neutrinos in order to test the validity of these
...more
When the temperature in the core of a star reaches 100 million degrees Kelvin fusion of Helium into Carbon occurs (three Helium nuclei combine to form a nucleus of Carbon). In the same range of temperature
...more
A plot of the binding energy per nucleon vs. atomic mass shows a peak atomic number 56 (Iron). Elements with atomic mass less then 56 release energy if formed as a result of a fusion reaction. Above this
...more
There are several experiments worldwide where the conditions for nuclear fusion reactions have been achieved in a controlled manner. The two main approaches that are being explored are magnetic confinement
...more
