0
$\begingroup$

I can't seem find this on the Internet. What does the Majorana equation predict neutrino masses to be (if they were their own antiparticle), and how? (I have little understanding of spinors, btw...)

Bonus question: Also, on a similar note, what properties have to be zero in order for a particle to be its own antiparticle?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ you get that a particle is its own antiparticle if you assume that the field is real. $\endgroup$
    – Phoenix87
    Mar 4, 2015 at 17:32

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$
  • There is no well established theory predicting the neutrino mass (even if of Majorana type).
  • A particle is its own anti-particle if the field describing the particle is a real field. That means obviously that the electric charge is 0 but not necessarily that other charges are zero. For instance, if the neutrinos are Majorana neutrinos, they would still have $SU(2)_L$ charge (weak isospin charge).
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Wikipedia said something about if the neutrinos are their own antiparticles, then their masses can be calculated. $\endgroup$
    – Damon Blevins
    Mar 4, 2015 at 20:27
  • $\begingroup$ You should give a link to the corresponding page. It probably refers to the so-called "see-saw" mechanism which just "explains" why neutrinos mass is tiny by introducing very heavy new right-handed neutrinos. Anyway, the mass remains unknown if you don't know the mass of these heavy neutrinos. The masses are still free parameters. $\endgroup$
    – Paganini
    Mar 4, 2015 at 21:36
  • $\begingroup$ It was the article about Neutrinos in $\endgroup$
    – Damon Blevins
    Mar 5, 2015 at 0:48
  • $\begingroup$ On Wikipedia. The section about mass. $\endgroup$
    – Damon Blevins
    Mar 5, 2015 at 0:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.