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Chapter 12: Problem 19

In which of the four basic interactions does an electron participate? A neutrino? \(A\) proton? \(A\) photon?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The electron participates in the gravitational, electromagnetic, and weak nuclear interactions. The neutrino participates in the gravitational and weak nuclear interactions. The proton participates in all four interactions: gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear. The photon is a carrier of the electromagnetic force and does not participate in the gravitational, weak nuclear, or strong nuclear interactions.

Step by step solution

01

Electron

The electron is a charged particle, so it participates in the electromagnetic interaction. As an elementary particle with mass, it also experiences the gravitational interaction. Due to its properties, it participates in the weak nuclear interaction, but not in the strong nuclear force.
02

Neutrino

The neutrino is a neutral particle, so it does not participate in the electromagnetic interaction. As an elementary particle with a very small mass, it experiences the gravitational interaction, but the contribution is negligible. It does, however, participate in the weak nuclear interaction, as neutrinos interact with other particles only through the weak nuclear force. Neutrinos do not participate in the strong nuclear force.
03

Proton

The proton is a charged particle, so it participates in the electromagnetic interaction. As a composite particle made up of quarks, it experiences the gravitational interaction, the weak nuclear interaction, and the strong nuclear interaction, as the strong nuclear force holds the quarks together within the proton.
04

Photon

The photon is a massless particle responsible for electromagnetic interactions between charged particles. Since it has no mass, it does not experience the gravitational interaction. It does not participate in the weak nuclear or strong nuclear interactions. However, the photon is a carrier of the electromagnetic force itself.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Baryon conservation and lepton conservation are laws used frequently by particle physicists to decide whether a reaction involving elementary particles is possible or not. Explain how these laws are applied to make such determinations.

How many quarks form a baryon? \(A\) meson? What is the relationship (if any) between a quark and a lepton (e.g., an electron)?

Some neutral particles, such as the \(\pi^{0}\), are their own antiparticles, but not the neutron. In what ways are \(n\) and \(\bar{n}\) the same? Speculate on how they might be different.

Suppose you were traveling toward the Sun at a constant velocity of \(0.25 c\). With what speed does the light streaming out from the Sun go past you? Explain your reasoning.

What does the acronym PET stand for? Why is PET a good example with which to begin a discussion of elementary particle physics?
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