What percentage of solar energy is converted to solar neutrinos?

In summary, only a small portion (around 1%) of the total solar energy is converted to solar neutrinos, mainly through the pp chain. This is due to the low energy (<0.425 MeV) of the neutrinos produced. However, if the Sun were more massive, the CNO cycle would dominate its energy production. The energy released in the pp chain is about 25 MeV per reaction, which is much higher than the energy of the neutrinos produced. Therefore, neutrinos only make up a small component of the solar output and do not interact well with ordinary matter.
  • #1
jayaramas
30
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what % of solar energy is converted to solar neutrinos, assuming energy released in all forms per unit time , say 1 second as 100%?
 
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  • #2
Most of the neutrinos produced in the sun come from the first step of the pp chain but their energy is so low (<0.425 MeV)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Solar_Model#Neutrino_production

http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jnb/SNviewgraphs/snviewgraphs.html

http://www.ap.stmarys.ca/~guenther/evolution/ssm1998.html


http://books.google.com/books?id=C2dT4dVk9K8C&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71#v=onepage&q&f=false

The figure shows the principal reactions in the pp fusion chain in the sun.
http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jnb/Papers/Preprints/nuclearfusion.html
http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jnb/Gif/ppchain.pdf

In the case of the Sun, detailed considerations suggest that it is producing about 98-99% of its energy from the PP chain and only about 1% from the CNO cycle. However, if the Sun were but 10-20% more massive, its energy production would be dominated by the CNO cycle.
Ref: http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/energy/cno-pp.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/solarpp.html
A reaction cycle yields about 25 MeV of energy, as compared to a neutrino energy 0.425 MeV mentioned above.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/procyc.html#c4

By knowing what steps produce energy and the energy per reaction, one can determine the portion of the total energy given to neutrinos.

I'd strongly encourage working through the numbers.
 
  • #3
Neutrino energy is a small component of the solar output, and neutrinos do not play well with ordinary matter to begin with.
 

FAQ: What percentage of solar energy is converted to solar neutrinos?

What are solar neutrinos?

Solar neutrinos are tiny, electrically neutral particles that are produced by nuclear reactions in the core of the sun. They are one of the byproducts of the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium, which is the process that powers the sun's energy output.

How do solar neutrinos carry energy?

Solar neutrinos carry energy in the form of kinetic energy. This means that they have a certain amount of energy based on their velocity and mass. Although they have very little mass, solar neutrinos travel at nearly the speed of light, allowing them to carry a significant amount of energy.

Why are solar neutrinos important for understanding energy in the sun?

Solar neutrinos are important because they provide a direct measurement of the nuclear reactions happening in the core of the sun. As they travel through the sun, they interact with different types of particles, giving us information about the temperature, density, and composition of the sun's core. This helps scientists better understand the processes that produce the sun's energy.

How are solar neutrinos detected?

Solar neutrinos are detected using large underground detectors, such as the Super-Kamiokande in Japan or the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory in Canada. These detectors are filled with a special liquid that can detect the faint flashes of light produced when a neutrino interacts with an atom in the liquid. By measuring the number and type of interactions, scientists can determine the properties of solar neutrinos.

What can we learn from studying solar neutrinos?

Studying solar neutrinos allows scientists to test and improve our understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the behavior of matter and energy in the universe. It also provides insight into the composition and evolution of the sun, as well as the potential for using nuclear fusion as a clean and renewable energy source on Earth.

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