Solving for X's Baryon & Lepton Number

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the baryon and lepton numbers of a particle referred to as X, and understanding its charge in the context of particle physics, particularly involving W bosons and conservation laws.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Exploratory

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of X being a lepton with a baryon number of 0 and a lepton number of +1. Questions arise regarding the directionality of the W+ boson in relation to charge conservation, with some participants questioning the labeling in Feynman diagrams and the interpretation of charge flow.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the charge associated with particle X, with some participants suggesting it may be a neutrino. Guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of Feynman diagrams and the application of charge conservation principles, though no consensus has been reached on the specific type of neutrino.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of particle interactions and conservation laws, with a focus on the implications of charge conservation in the context of W boson interactions. The discussion reflects a mix of assumptions and interpretations regarding particle properties and diagrammatic representations.

Cicicicici
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Homework Statement


Screen Shot 2018-05-26 at 6.59.37 pm.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I worked out that the baryon number of X is 0 and the lepton number is +1 which means x is a lepton.
However, when I work out the charge of X, do I add W+ to the left hand side or right hand side of the equation? [/B]
 

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Which way does the W+ go?
Hint: law of conservation of charge.
 
Simon Bridge said:
Which way does the W+ go?
Hint: law of conservation of charge.
from the proton to the neutron? because proton is +1?
 
Simon Bridge said:
Which way does the W+ go?
Hint: law of conservation of charge.
Cicicicici said:
from the proton to the neutron? because proton is +1?
It should be pointed out that internal lines in Feynman diagrams do not ”go” in any direction. As such, the labelling of ##W^+## in the diagram is dubious as the diagram equally well represents the other time ordering where one might say that it is a ##W^-## going from the right to the left. In fact, people often take Feynman diagrams way too literally as if the lines were representing the worldlines of little balls moving around. They are nothing but (very very useful) graphical representations of terms in a mathematical series expansion.

When it comes to charge conservation, you can always draw an arrow on a line representing the charge flow and use charge conservation at each vertex. (You can do this for any charge, not just electric charge.)

You are correct that it must be a lepton. What charge must it have based on the above?
 
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Orodruin said:
It should be pointed out that internal lines in Feynman diagrams do not ”go” in any direction. As such, the labelling of ##W^+## in the diagram is dubious as the diagram equally well represents the other time ordering where one might say that it is a ##W^-## going from the right to the left. In fact, people often take Feynman diagrams way too literally as if the lines were representing the worldlines of little balls moving around. They are nothing but (very very useful) graphical representations of terms in a mathematical series expansion.

When it comes to charge conservation, you can always draw an arrow on a line representing the charge flow and use charge conservation at each vertex. (You can do this for any charge, not just electric charge.)

You are correct that it must be a lepton. What charge must it have based on the above?
zero? so it is a neutrino?
 
Cicicicici said:
zero? so it is a neutrino?
Yes.
 
Orodruin said:
Yes.
Thank you!
 
Cicicicici said:
Thank you!
Cicicicici said:
Thank you!
And what type of neutrino is it ?
 

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