20091207

Astronomy current events question: T2K neutrino experiment

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)
Astronomy.com editors, "Neutrino Experiment Starts Its Search for the Unknown," November 24, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8848
The T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) experiment in Japan will measure properties of neutrinos by:
(A) counting solar neutrinos detected in Tokai and Kamioka at the same time.
(B) shooting neutrinos underground from Tokai to a detector in Kamioka.
(C) comparing neutrinos made in Tokai to identical twins made in Kamioka.
(D) counting neutrinos that survive after being airlifted from Tokai to Kamioka.
(E) shooting neutrinos from Tokai and Kamioka to collide in the upper atmosphere.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 11 students
(B) : 22 students
(C) : 12 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 10 students

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