Electron Proton Collisions and Electron Capture

[nokia8650]

What is the difference between electron capture, and electron-proton collions?

My textbook has the feynman diagram of electron capture as a proton decaying into a neutron, and the proton emmiting a W+ boson, which is received by an electron, which then decays into a neutrino.

However, the electron proton collision has an electron decaying into a neutrino and the electron emitting a W- boson, which the proton recieves, which decays into a neutron.

Obviously, rather than proton and neutron, up and down quarks can be used in the above.

Why is there this difference in the two processes?

Thanks

 

[blochwave]

That's a helluva intro physics class, eh? :)

Seeing as how I hate particle physics, my answer is probably a bit biased, but I would assume the reason is because IT'S ALL A BUNCH OF BS >_>

seriously though, I know electron capture is an event that takes place in the nuclei of atoms, so I would wager the electron-proton collision is a similar event that takes place outside the nucleus. Assuming there IS a difference besides the very fundamental one you described

 

[ogb p]

for your question. Both electron capture and electron-proton collisions involve interactions between electrons and protons, but they are fundamentally different processes.

Electron capture is a type of nuclear reaction in which an electron is absorbed by the nucleus of an atom, resulting in the transformation of a proton into a neutron. This process is commonly observed in radioactive nuclei where the proton-to-neutron ratio is too high, causing the nucleus to be unstable. By capturing an electron, the proton is converted into a neutron, making the nucleus more stable.

On the other hand, electron-proton collisions refer to interactions between an electron and a proton at high energies. These collisions can occur in particle accelerators or in natural phenomena such as cosmic rays. In these collisions, the electron and proton exchange energy and momentum, resulting in the production of new particles such as W bosons. These collisions are important for understanding the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces that govern their interactions.

The difference between electron capture and electron-proton collisions lies in the scale of the interactions. Electron capture occurs at the nuclear level, involving specific atoms and their nuclei. Electron-proton collisions, on the other hand, occur at the subatomic level and involve interactions between individual particles. Additionally, the end products of these processes are different - electron capture results in a more stable nucleus, while electron-proton collisions can produce a variety of particles depending on the energy and conditions of the collision.

In summary, electron capture and electron-proton collisions are two distinct processes that occur at different scales and have different outcomes. While electron capture is a nuclear reaction that stabilizes nuclei, electron-proton collisions are subatomic interactions that help us understand the fundamental nature of matter and the forces that govern it.