Which Fundamental Force is Involved?

In summary, the four fundamental interactions are responsible for the following reactions: (a) Electromagnetic interaction - due to the presence of a photon, (b) Weak interaction - due to the presence of leptons, (c) Electromagnetic interaction - due to the presence of photons, (d) Strong interaction - involving protons and anti-protons, (e) Strong interaction - involving pions and protons, and (f) Weak interaction - due to the presence of leptons. It can be determined that these interactions are involved based on the particles present in the reactions. Electromagnetic interactions involve photons, strong interactions involve hadrons, and weak interactions involve leptons.
  • #1
funkmetalbass
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Homework Statement


Which of the four fundamental interactions is most likely responsible for the following reactions?
(a) [tex]{}^{16}O\text{ (excited state) }\longrightarrow{}^{16}O\text{ (ground state) }+\gamma[/tex]
(b) [tex]{v}_{e}+e\longrightarrow v_{e}+e[/tex]
(c) [tex]p+\overline{p} \longrightarrow \gamma + \gamma[/tex]
(d) [tex]p+\overline{v}_e \longrightarrow n + e^{+}[/tex]
(e) [tex]{\pi}^{0} + p \longrightarrow {\pi}^0 + p[/tex]
(f) [tex]{}^{3}H \longrightarrow {}^3He + e^{-} + \overline{v}_{e}[/tex]


Homework Equations


None that I can see.

The Attempt at a Solution


(a) Electromagnetic interaction - photon presence
(b) Weak interaction - leptons don't participate in strong interaction
(c) Electromagnetic interaction - photon presence
(d) ?
(e) ?
(f) Weak interaction - leptons don't participate in strong interaction

The book doesn't give any hints or real means of determining which forces are involved, and the laws of conservation aren't discussed until the next section. What should I be looking for to figure out which interaction involved?
 
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  • #2
For (b) and (e), the reason you state only shows it's not a strong interaction. You should give a more convincing reason they are weak interactions and not electromagnetic.

Hint: Just like the photon implies electromagnetism, what particles always imply the weak interaction?
 

What are the four fundamental forces?

The four fundamental forces are gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force.

What is the difference between a fundamental force and a non-fundamental force?

A fundamental force is a force that cannot be broken down into smaller components, while a non-fundamental force is a combination of fundamental forces.

Which fundamental force is involved in the interaction between two charged particles?

The fundamental force involved in the interaction between two charged particles is electromagnetism.

Which fundamental force is responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together?

The fundamental force responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together is the strong nuclear force.

How do scientists study the four fundamental forces?

Scientists study the four fundamental forces through experimental observations, mathematical models, and theoretical calculations.

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