- #1
a dull boy
- 40
- 1
A charged lepton can absorb a W+ boson and be converted into a neutrino, and visa versa. The neutrino has such small rest mass, how can it produce these large particles/be produced by them?
How can a tiny neutrino produce massive W+ and electron?
In summary, a charged lepton and neutrino can convert into each other through the absorption or production of a W+ boson. The rest mass of the neutrino is small, but it can still produce or be produced by larger particles due to its high energy. This is demonstrated in the reaction of an electron-antineutrino hitting a proton, where the kinetic energy of the initial particles supplies the extra rest-mass energy needed to create the final-state particles. The W+ boson, which is often a virtual particle, must have enough kinetic energy to produce reaction products. Additionally, a single neutrino cannot decay into another particle due to energy conservation. This is why neutrinos rarely experience a charged current of the weak force, despite
- #2
The_Duck
- 1,006
- 108
The energy of the neutrino matters more than its rest mass. Consider the reaction
##\bar \nu_e + p \to e^+ + n##
that is: an electron-antineutrino hits a proton and in the process of the collision the proton turns into a neutron and the antineutrino turns into a positron. This happens via the exchange of a W boson between the antineutrino and the proton.
You are right that a lepton like a positron is much heavier than a neutrino. Also, a neutron is heavier than a proton. The extra rest-mass energy is supplied by the kinetic energy of the initial particles. Therefore this reaction can only happen if the antineutrino has enough kinetic energy to supply the missing rest-mass energy needed to make the final-state particles.
##\bar \nu_e + p \to e^+ + n##
that is: an electron-antineutrino hits a proton and in the process of the collision the proton turns into a neutron and the antineutrino turns into a positron. This happens via the exchange of a W boson between the antineutrino and the proton.
You are right that a lepton like a positron is much heavier than a neutrino. Also, a neutron is heavier than a proton. The extra rest-mass energy is supplied by the kinetic energy of the initial particles. Therefore this reaction can only happen if the antineutrino has enough kinetic energy to supply the missing rest-mass energy needed to make the final-state particles.
- #3
mfb
Mentor
- 37,118
- 13,955
The W+ boson is often a virtual particle - "its energy" (note: this is not really a well-defined value here) can be below the W mass.
To produce positrons or other reaction products, it needs enough kinetic energy.
To produce positrons or other reaction products, it needs enough kinetic energy.
- #4
a dull boy
- 40
- 1
Dear mfb and The Duck-
Thanks very much for your answers - I understand!
Mark
Thanks very much for your answers - I understand!
Mark
- #5
ChrisVer
Gold Member
- 3,378
- 464
Also a single neutrino (alone), cannot decay to another particle because of energy conservation...
- #6
Tarlin
- 1
- 0
The requirement for neutrinos to have extra kinetic energy (or be at a higher energy level) is one of the reasons they rarely experience a charged current of the weak force, despite there being so many of them in existence.
What is a neutrino?
A neutrino is a subatomic particle that is electrically neutral and has a very small mass. It is one of the fundamental particles that make up the universe.
How can a neutrino produce a W+ and an electron?
Neutrinos are able to produce a W+ and an electron through a process called weak interaction. In this process, a neutrino interacts with a particle called a W boson, which then decays into a W+ particle and an electron.
What is the role of the weak force in this process?
The weak force is one of the four fundamental forces in nature, and it is responsible for the process of weak interaction that allows a neutrino to produce a W+ and an electron. Without the weak force, this process would not be possible.
Why is it significant that a tiny neutrino can produce a massive W+ and electron?
This is significant because it shows that the weak force is able to overcome the small mass of the neutrino and produce much larger particles. It also provides evidence for the existence of the weak force and its role in the fundamental interactions of particles.
How is this process relevant to particle physics research?
This process is relevant to particle physics research because it provides insight into the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe. By studying the properties and interactions of neutrinos, scientists can gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the universe.
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