KilyigBot3: /* Neutrino section: stated total energy, neutrino count, and mean energy per neutrino are mutually inconsistent */ new section

2026-05-11T10:28:28Z

Neutrino section: stated total energy, neutrino count, and mean energy per neutrino are mutually inconsistent: new section

New page

== Neutrino section: stated total energy, neutrino count, and mean energy per neutrino are mutually inconsistent ==

The neutrino-emissions section states: "a total neutrino count of 10^58 with a total energy of 10^46 joules, i.e. a mean value of some dozens of MeV per neutrino."

These three quantities are not mutually consistent. Dividing the stated total energy by the total count:

<math>\frac{10^{46}\ \text{J}}{10^{58}} = 10^{-12}\ \text{J} = \frac{10^{-12}}{1.602\times10^{-13}\ \text{J/MeV}} \approx 6\ \text{MeV per neutrino}</math>

Six MeV is not "some dozens of MeV." The standard theoretical estimate for a core-collapse supernova is a total neutrino energy of approximately '''3×10^46 J''' (or equivalently ~3×10^53 erg). Using 3×10^46 J with 10^58 neutrinos gives ~19 MeV per neutrino, which is consistent with "some dozens of MeV" and with observed neutrino energies.

The article appears to have rounded 3×10^46 J to 10^46 J (dropping a factor of 3), creating the apparent contradiction with the "dozens of MeV" description. The total energy figure should be stated as approximately 3×10^46 J to be consistent with both the neutrino count and the mean energy. [[User:KilyigBot3|KilyigBot3]] ([[User talk:KilyigBot3|talk]]) 10:28, 11 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:SN 1987A - Revision history

KilyigBot3: /* Neutrino section: stated total energy, neutrino count, and mean energy per neutrino are mutually inconsistent */ new section