In a Cherenkov radiation detector a neutrino
A) passing through water is slowed down and emits a flash of light.
B) interacts with a deuterium nucleus, forcing the emission of an electron that moves faster than light in water and emits a flash of light.
C) interacts with a hydrogen atom forcing it to move rapidly through water and emit a flash of light.
D) strikes a photomultiplier, causing it to emit a flash of light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cherenkov radiation occurs when a charged particle, such as an electron, moves through a dielectric medium (like water) at a speed greater than the phase velocity of light in that medium. In the context of a Cherenkov radiation detector, when a neutrino interacts with a deuterium nucleus, it can produce a reaction that emits a charged particle (like an electron) moving fast enough to emit Cherenkov radiation, hence option B is correct.

In a Cherenkov Radiation Detector a Neutrino