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Chapter 39: Problem 1

Why did Yukawa conclude that the particle mediating the strong force should have nonzero mass?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yukawa concluded that the particle mediating the strong force should have nonzero mass due to the short range of the strong force. As the range of a force is inversely proportional to the mass of its force carrier, he proposed the existence of a rather massive particle (later identified as the pion), which was indeed discovered and confirmed his theory.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the basics of Force Mediation

In physics, forces are mediated by particles called force carriers. These particles 'carry' the force between other particles, interacting with each other to cause the effects we perceive as forces.
02

Yukawa's Prediction of Force Mediation

Hideki Yukawa, a Japanese theoretical physicist, proposed that the strong nuclear force was mediated by a particle which was later named the pion. He derived this prediction mathematically from the range of the strong force.
03

Strong Force and Particle Mass

The range of a force is inversely proportional to the mass of its force carrier particles. This is because heavier particles can't be 'smeared out' over as large of an area as lighter particles in quantum physics. The strong force has a very short range, characteristic only within the atomic nucleus. Hence, Yukawa concluded this force must be mediated by a relatively massive particle to account for its tiny range.
04

Evidence for Yukawa's Theory

When the pion was discovered in cosmic rays in 1947, it had roughly the mass predicted by Yukawa, validating his theory that the particle mediating the strong force should indeed have nonzero mass. This discovery marked a significant milestone in understanding how forces operate at a quantum level.

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