Why do particles decay and what processes are involved?

In summary, particles such as the tau muon have a short lifespan because of their possible decay, which can be calculated but not fully understood in terms of "why". The process of particle decay involves interactions with the W boson and the weak nuclear force, which is responsible for all beta decays. Other forms of radioactive decay, such as alpha decay and fission, are not dependent on the weak force.
  • #1
Khadija Motala
1
0
why is that particles such as the tau muon have a short lifespan and why is it that particles decay into other partcles? furthermore, what are the process that occur in particle decay?
 
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  • #2
Physics cannot explain "why" - it can just describe the observations. Tau particles have a possible decay, and it is possible to calculate their lifetime (based on other values, like the muon lifetime), but that does not answer why they decay.
Concerning "how": Well, it can be described as interaction with the W boson.
 
  • #3
Khadija Motala said:
what are the process that occur in particle decay?

In the standard model there are several fundamental forces of nature:Strong Nuclear Force
-Responsible for binding quarks together as well as protons and neutrons​
Weak Nuclear Force
-Responsible for all radioactive decay​
Electromagnetic Force
-Occurs between everything that has a charge.​
**Gravity has been debated over the years

Each of these forces has a corresponding particle known as a gauge boson that is responsible for carrying out those forces. The Strong Nuclear force is carried out by the Gluon, the Weak Nuclear force is carried out by the W and Z bosons (the W boson has positively charged and negatively charged variants,) and the Electromagnetic force is carried out by the Photon.

In the case of radioactive decay, all radioactive decay occurs as a result of the weak nuclear force. The weak nuclear force is important as it is the only known force that has the potential to change the flavor (characteristics) of a quark. Take, for example, the decay of a proton into a neutron.

A proton is composed of two up quarks and a down quark and a neutron is composed of two down quarks and an up quark.
p → n + w+
The w+ boson then decays into a positron e+ and an electron anti neutrino ̅νe.
So: p → n + e+ + ̅νe.
The positron and antineutrino conserve charge. As a result of the interaction with the w+ boson, one of the up quarks changes into a down quark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Model
 
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  • #4
AbsoluteZer0 said:
Weak Nuclear Force
-Responsible for all radioactive decay​
Not all, just beta decays.

Alpha decays, gamma "decays", proton emission, neutron emission, cluster decays and fission are independent of the weak force.
 

Related to Why do particles decay and what processes are involved?

1. What causes particles to decay?

Particle decay is caused by the instability of certain types of particles, which leads to their transformation into other particles with lower energy levels.

2. How do we know that particles decay?

Scientists are able to detect particle decay through experiments using particle accelerators and detectors. They can observe the decay products and measure the energy and momentum to confirm that a decay has occurred.

3. What is the role of the weak nuclear force in particle decay?

The weak nuclear force is responsible for the decay of particles, as it is the only force that can change the flavor or type of a particle. This force is responsible for transformations such as beta decay, where a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and antineutrino.

4. Is particle decay a random process?

Yes, particle decay is considered a random process as it is impossible to predict exactly when a specific particle will decay. However, scientists can determine the probability of decay occurring within a certain time frame.

5. Can particle decay be reversed?

No, particle decay is considered an irreversible process. Once a particle has decayed, it cannot return to its original state. However, new particles can be created through other processes, such as particle collisions.

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