Electron’s neutrino

Definition

An electron's neutrino is a type of neutrino associated with the electron, possessing no electric charge and very small mass. It plays a crucial role in beta decay processes in nuclear physics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electron's neutrinos are produced during beta minus decay when a neutron transforms into a proton.
2. They interact weakly with matter, making them extremely difficult to detect.
3. Electron's neutrinos were first postulated by Wolfgang Pauli and later confirmed by experiments such as the Cowan-Reines neutrino experiment.
4. They are one of three types of neutrinos, the others being muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.
5. In conservation laws, they help conserve lepton number during nuclear reactions.

Review Questions

• What role does an electron's neutrino play in beta minus decay?
• Why are electron's neutrinos difficult to detect?
• How do electron's neutrinos contribute to the conservation of lepton number?

Related terms

Beta Decay: A radioactive decay process where a nucleus emits a beta particle (electron or positron) and an antineutrino or neutrino.

Lepton Number: A quantum number representing the number of leptons (such as electrons and neutrinos) in a reaction, conserved in nuclear processes.

Neutrino Oscillation: The phenomenon where a neutrino changes its flavor (type) as it travels through space.