Embark on a fascinating journey into the world of neutrinos in this 55-minute lecture by science journalist James Riordon. Explore the history and science behind the elusive "ghost particle," from its discovery to its potential for unlocking cosmic mysteries. Learn about neutrino sources, detection challenges, and their role in astronomy. Delve into topics such as beta decay, neutrino oscillations, and their application in probing Earth's interior. Discover how neutrinos could shed light on matter-antimatter asymmetry, alien communication possibilities, and the universe's origins. Gain a comprehensive understanding of these subatomic particles that constantly pass through us, and their significance in advancing our knowledge of the cosmos.
Overview
Syllabus
A revolution in astronomy
What exactly is a neutrino?
Where do neutrinos come from?
Nils Bohr and the Beta decay conundrum
Hans Bethe and the invisible particle solution
How NOT to find a neutrino
On the hunt for solar neutrinos
Three flavours of neutrinos
Neutrino oscillation and how it works
Probing the inside of the earth
Using neutrinos for astronomy
Matter over Antimatter
Could aliens communicate using neutrinos?
Looking at the birth of the universe
Taught by
The Royal Institution
