What is the difference between electron, muon and tau neutrinos?

In summary, there is a difference in the detection of particles (Cherenkov radiation cone size) and they have different "flavors" which refers to their quantum numbers. There is also a difference in their symbols (Ve, Vu, Vt) and masses. However, it is unknown why there are additional doublets with the same quantum numbers but different flavors. This may have something to do with how they interact using the weak force. The reason for this is still unknown, with three doublets remaining a mystery.
  • #1
thenewmans
168
1
I know there's a difference between how they're detected. (Cherenkov radiation cone size) They have different "flavors." (I'm not sure what that means.) There's a difference in their simbol. (Ve, Vu, Vt) And they have different masses. But that's all I know. There must be something more to the difference. My guess is it has something to do with how they interact using the weak force.
 
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  • #2
We don't know.

For each fermion doublet (up-quark,down-quark), (e,μ) and the corresponding (e-,μ-neutrino) there are two additonal doublets which are identical in all quantum numbers except flavor. We don't know why they are there, and why three.
 
  • #3
Cool. Good to know. Thank you.
 

Related to What is the difference between electron, muon and tau neutrinos?

What is the difference between electron, muon and tau neutrinos?

The main difference between electron, muon and tau neutrinos lies in their mass and their interaction with other particles.

What is the mass of electron, muon and tau neutrinos?

Electron neutrinos have the lowest mass among the three, with a mass of approximately 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000018 grams. Muon neutrinos have a slightly higher mass of 0.0000000000000000000000000017 grams, while tau neutrinos have the highest mass of 0.0000000000000000000000018 grams.

Do electron, muon and tau neutrinos have different charges?

No, all three of them have neutral charge, which means they do not interact with electric fields.

How do electron, muon and tau neutrinos differ in their interactions with other particles?

Electron neutrinos primarily interact via the weak nuclear force, while muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos can also interact via the strong nuclear force and the gravitational force.

Can electron, muon and tau neutrinos transform into one another?

Yes, neutrinos can undergo a process called neutrino oscillation, where they can switch between different types. This phenomenon was first observed in the 1990s and has been a topic of ongoing research in the field of particle physics.

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