Boson and electron mass and speed in beta decay

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of the W boson during beta decay, specifically its mass and speed compared to electrons and antineutrinos. The W boson has a mass of approximately 80 GeV, while electrons and antineutrinos have masses around 500 KeV. It is established that the W boson is a virtual particle in beta decay, which allows it to violate the mass-energy relation E² = p² + m² temporarily, due to the uncertainty principle (ΔEΔt > ħ/2). This explains the apparent discrepancy in mass and speed between the W boson and the emitted leptons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts, particularly beta decay.
  • Familiarity with the properties of virtual particles.
  • Knowledge of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics.
  • Basic comprehension of mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of virtual particles in quantum field theory.
  • Study the implications of the uncertainty principle on particle interactions.
  • Learn about the Standard Model of particle physics, focusing on gauge bosons.
  • Explore experimental evidence of beta decay and the behavior of W bosons.
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Students and researchers in particle physics, physicists studying beta decay, and anyone interested in the behavior of virtual particles in quantum mechanics.

james mccue
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My first post - Hi everyone.

I've been reading about boson mass and speed for a couple of hours but I can't seem to find answers.

- What is the speed of the W boson during beta decay? If it has a huge mass shouldn't it be a lot slower than leptons?

- I assume the electron and antineutrino are traveling close to the speed of light when emitted?

- the mass of the W boson is around 80GeV, the electron and antineutrino have masses of around 500KeV. Where does all the extra mass/energy go? Do they have a greater speed?

many thanks for reading this.
 
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The W boson in beta decay is a virtual particle, which does not need to fullfil the criteria:

[tex]E^2 = p^2 + m^2[/tex]

One can think of this as virtual particles VIOLOATE this law, during a small interwall, such small time interval so that [tex]\Delta E \Delta t > \hbar / 2[/tex]

That is the answer to your question, the W boson in beta decay is a virtual particle.
 

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