In: Statistics and Probability
A total of 8 neutrinos, presumably from Supernova 1987A, as observed in an underground detector located in a salt mine near Cleveland.
(a) If the average number of "background" neutrinos observed per day is know to be 2, calculate the probability that 8 or more such background events will be detected in one day.
(b) If the average number of "background" neutrinos observed per day is know to be 2, calculate the probability that 8 or more such background events will be detected in a 10-minute period.
(c) Based on your answers to parts (a) and (b): Should the experimenters (call them Team A) who observe 8 or more events distributed over a one-day period publish their results as a "discovery," or simply attribute these "events" to a fluctuation in the background rate? If Team B observes 8 or more events within a 10-minute period, is this an important discovery, or likely statistical fluctuation?