Photo AI
Neutrinos are sometimes called ghost particles - Leaving Cert Physics - Question i - 2019
Question i
Neutrinos are sometimes called ghost particles. Why are they very hard to detect? or Describe how a galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Neutrinos are sometimes called ghost particles - Leaving Cert Physics - Question i - 2019
Step 1
Why are neutrinos very hard to detect?
Answer
Neutrinos are often referred to as ghost particles due to their elusive nature. The reasons for their difficulty in detection include:
-
Very Small Mass: Neutrinos have an incredibly small mass, which means they interact weakly with matter. This weak interaction is the primary reason for their elusiveness, allowing them to pass through large amounts of material without being detected.
-
No Charge: Neutrinos are electrically neutral. Unlike charged particles which can interact with electromagnetic fields, neutrinos do not interact with these forces, making it challenging to detect them using conventional methods. As a result, they can travel vast distances without any deflection or interaction.
Overall, these properties contribute to the difficulty in detecting neutrinos, necessitating highly specialized detectors and experimental setups to capture their rare interactions with other particles.
Step 2
Describe how a galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter.
Answer
To convert a galvanometer into an ammeter, the following modifications can be made:
-
Small Resistance: A low-value resistor, known as a shunt, is connected in parallel with the galvanometer. This allows a significant amount of current to bypass the galvanometer, which would otherwise exceed its measurement range.
-
Connection in Parallel: By connecting the galvanometer in parallel with the shunt resistor, the overall circuit can accommodate larger currents. The galvanometer will still function, but it will now be able to measure these larger currents without being damaged.
In summary, by placing a small resistor in parallel, a galvanometer can effectively measure high currents, thus functioning as an ammeter.