What is the solution to the solar neutrino problem?
A) The Sun is generating energy other than by nuclear fusion.
B) The Sun is generating much less energy than we think it is.
C) We did not know how to detect neutrinos.
D) Not all fusion reactions create neutrinos.
E) The electron neutrinos created in the Sun's core change into another type of neutrino that we did not detect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The solar neutrino problem was resolved when it was discovered that electron neutrinos, created in the Sun's core through nuclear fusion, changed into another type of neutrino during their journey to Earth. This phenomenon is known as neutrino oscillation or neutrino flavor change. The detectors used in past experiments were only able to detect electron neutrinos and not the other types, which caused a discrepancy between the number of neutrinos detected and the number predicted by solar models. By developing new detectors, scientists were able to detect all types of solar neutrinos and confirm neutrino oscillation as the solution to the solar neutrino problem.

What Is the Solution to the Solar Neutrino Problem