Recent solar neutrino experiments have confirmed the suspicion that the explanation for the apparent shortfall in neutrino detection rates over the past 30 years is that
A) the Sun does indeed produce only 1/3 of that predicted by earlier theoretical models; these models require major modification.
B) 2/3 of the neutrinos from the Sun are absorbed by material between the Sun and Earth.
C) 2/3 of the solar neutrinos transform into types of neutrinos that were undetectable by old detection techniques.
D) the detectors were faulty; 2/3 of the neutrinos were missed by the detectors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Recent solar neutrino experiments have shown that neutrinos can oscillate between different types, meaning that 2/3 of the solar neutrinos transform into types that were not detectable by older detection techniques. This phenomenon, known as neutrino oscillation, explains the apparent shortfall in neutrino detection rates without requiring major modifications to theoretical models of solar neutrino production or implicating detector faults.

Recent Solar Neutrino Experiments Have Confirmed the Suspicion That the Explanation