31.   Because of the reluctance of the neutrinos to react with atomic nuclei and thus allow themselves to be captured, very large detector volumes are required for these experiments.

32.   But that energy will be released into a space one-millionth of a millimeter across, concentrated enough to tear apart an atomic nucleus.

33.   Cosmic rays are charged particles from outer space, mostly atomic nuclei, or protons, but ranging up to heavier nuclei such as iron.

34.   The number of neutrons in an atomic nucleus affects the stability of that nucleus.

35.   Then, before the universe was a second old, the quark-gluon plasma congealed into the protons and neutrons that make up atomic nuclei today.

36.   Because of the reluctance of neutrinos to react with atomic nuclei and thus allow themselves to be recaptured, very large detector volumes are required for these experiments.