When neutrinos blow apart a star.

In summary, when a stellar core collapses, thermal neutrinos are created and interact with the core before escaping. The surrounding mass is almost transparent to these neutrinos, causing them to carry away most of the energy generated in the birth of the neutron star. This energy is responsible for the explosive nature of supernovae and is hidden from our sight. Some studies suggest that the radial burst of neutrinos may cause a temporally polarizing effect on the surrounding matter, but further research is needed. For more information on this topic, refer to the links provided.
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Spinnor
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Reading from The Astrophysics Spectator:

http://www.astrophysicsspectator.com/topics/supernovae/SupernovaeCoreCollapse.html

"When a stellar core collapses, its high density spurs the creation of thermal neutrinos through a variety of processes. The core itself is not transparent to neutrinos, so they interact and come into thermal equilibrium with the core before escaping. The mass surrounding the core is almost transparent to these neutrinos, so very few neutrinos give up energy to the surrounding mass. The tiny amount of energy lost by the neutrinos to the surrounding mass, however, is more than sufficient to blow this mass away from the core. The most energetic explosions in the universe therefore hide most of their energy from our sight; we see the brilliant light and the high speed of the supernova debris, but we almost never see the neutrinos that carry away almost all of the energy generated in the birth of the neutron star. ...

In the above,

"The tiny amount of energy lost by the neutrinos to the surrounding mass, however, is more than sufficient to blow this mass away from the core. ...

So there is a radial burst of neutrinos from the dying star that blows the "top" off the star. Do the neutrinos "push" as hard on the positively charged matter as the negatively charged matter? If the "force" is different does this then temporally polarize such matter?

Thanks for any help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Related to When neutrinos blow apart a star.

1. What are neutrinos?

Neutrinos are subatomic particles that have no electric charge and very little mass. They are one of the fundamental particles that make up the universe and are constantly passing through us undetected.

2. How do neutrinos contribute to a star's explosion?

When a star runs out of fuel and collapses, the intense pressure and temperature cause the fusion of atoms to produce vast amounts of neutrinos. These high-energy neutrinos exert a force that can help push the outer layers of the star outwards, causing the explosion.

3. Can we detect neutrinos from a star's explosion?

Yes, scientists have developed special detectors, such as the Super-Kamiokande detector, that can detect the high-energy neutrinos produced during a star's explosion. These detectors are typically located deep underground to shield them from other particles.

4. Are neutrinos dangerous to humans?

No, neutrinos are generally considered to be harmless to humans. They are highly penetrative and can pass through our bodies without causing any harm. However, very high-energy neutrinos can interact with atoms, but the chances of this happening are extremely low.

5. What can we learn from studying neutrinos from a star's explosion?

Studying neutrinos from a star's explosion can provide valuable insights into the inner workings of stars and the processes that lead to their death. This can help us better understand the evolution of the universe and the role that neutrinos play in it.

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