Electron Proton Collisions and Electron Capture

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Electron capture involves a proton in an atomic nucleus decaying into a neutron by emitting a W+ boson, which interacts with an electron, resulting in the production of a neutrino. In contrast, an electron-proton collision occurs when an electron interacts with a proton, leading to the electron emitting a W- boson and decaying into a neutrino, while the proton transforms into a neutron. The key difference lies in the context of these processes: electron capture occurs within the nucleus, while electron-proton collisions typically happen outside the nucleus. This distinction highlights the different environments and mechanisms involved in these particle interactions. Understanding these processes is essential for grasping fundamental particle physics concepts.
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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
 
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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
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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