How do W particles and beta decay relate to muons?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between W particles, beta decay, and muons, exploring theoretical aspects of particle physics, particularly in the context of radioactive decay processes and the properties of virtual particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the number of W particles present in a cubic meter of radioactive nuclei undergoing beta decay and their average speed.
  • Another participant suggests that W particles are not present unless certain energy conditions are met, specifically mentioning that real W particles can only be produced if the nuclei or muon have energy greater than 80 GeV.
  • There is a discussion about the emission of particles during beta decay, with a participant noting that the rate of decay is dependent on the radioactivity of the material, which is measured in becquerels.
  • Questions arise regarding whether W particles emitted during beta decay are virtual or real, with some participants asserting that they are virtual in isolated decays but can become real under specific energy conditions.
  • The Higgs mechanism is mentioned as the source of mass for W particles, with a participant indicating that this topic may require further exploration in a separate discussion.
  • Another participant elaborates on the relationship between virtual particles and energy conservation, referencing the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of W particles in beta decay, particularly regarding their status as virtual or real, and the conditions under which they may exist. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on these points.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of terms like "real" and "virtual" particles, as well as the conditions under which W particles may be produced. The discussion also touches on the complexities of the Higgs mechanism and its implications for particle mass, which may require further clarification.

Rothiemurchus
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w particle and beta decay and muons

How many w particles,at any instant in time, are there in one cubic metre of a mass of radioactive nuclei which undergo beta decay?
And how fast do these w particles move on average?
How many w particles are,at any instant in time, in the neighbourhood of a muon that strikes the upper atmosphere of the Earth?
 
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Short answer: None, unless some of those nuclei/muon have an energy greater than 80 GeV, in which case a real W might be produced (it decays away very quickly though).

Longer answer: you're probably thinking of virtual particles "constantly being emitted and re-absorbed" by the nuclei/muon. Since virtual states are not observable, this is not a physically meaningful question.
 
How many particles are emitted in a radioactive nuclei undergoing beta decay?? Uhhhh, if I'm not wrong isn't it dependent on how radioactive it is, how many becquerels stuff like that? I don't think the rate of radioactivity is constant right?

btw, to zefram_c, are the W particles emitted by a quark during beta decay virtual or real?? Are if I'm not wrong W particles are pretty massive, is there something about the higgs mechanism which cause this mass? or is it something else?
 
misogynisticfeminist said:
Uhhhh, if I'm not wrong isn't it dependent on how radioactive it is, how many becquerels stuff like that? I don't think the rate of radioactivity is constant right?
That's right, but the original question asked about W particles. I don't know how you define the rate (# decays/sec maybe), but the probability that a given nucleus decays per unit time is constant.
btw, to zefram_c, are the W particles emitted by a quark during beta decay virtual or real?? Are if I'm not wrong W particles are pretty massive, is there something about the higgs mechanism which cause this mass? or is it something else?
They cannot be real in the decay of an isolated particle. However, if a nucleus that has an energy great enough scatters off another nucleus, it can emit a real W in the process.
The Higgs mechanism is what generates the mass, yes. But the details of that should probably go in a different thread.
 
misogynisticfeminist said:
How many particles are emitted in a radioactive nuclei undergoing beta decay?? Uhhhh, if I'm not wrong isn't it dependent on how radioactive it is, how many becquerels stuff like that? I don't think the rate of radioactivity is constant right?

btw, to zefram_c, are the W particles emitted by a quark during beta decay virtual or real?? Are if I'm not wrong W particles are pretty massive, is there something about the higgs mechanism which cause this mass? or is it something else?


In decay the W particles are virtual, yet as we all know they can become real when there is enough energy "around" that is used to give these virtual particles a legitimate reason to exist. Conservation of energy can be violated in QFT for a short while and this time period is determined by the Heisenberg-uncertainty principle between energy and time.

regards
marlon

and yes, the mass of the gauge bosons is acquired through interaction with the omnipresent Higgsfield after the spontanuous breakdown :eek: of symmetry of the QCD-vacuum (the U(1)-symmetry, right...)

:-p
 

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