Neutrons and strong interaction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the types of interactions that neutrons have with matter, particularly focusing on whether interactions other than the strong interaction play significant roles during scattering processes. Participants explore various interactions, including electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational forces, in the context of neutron behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that gravity and weak interactions are present alongside the strong interaction when considering neutron interactions with matter.
  • There is a question regarding whether neutrons undergo electromagnetic interactions due to their nonzero magnetic moment, with some noting that these effects are generally negligible.
  • Participants discuss the significance of weak versus electromagnetic interactions in elastic scattering between neutrons and electrons, with varying opinions on their relative importance.
  • One participant mentions that at low energies, both weak and electromagnetic interactions are negligible, while at higher energies, deep inelastic scattering occurs, involving interactions with quarks.
  • Another participant argues that electromagnetic interactions of neutrons are not negligible and are important in specific scattering scenarios, such as electron-neutron scattering and proton-neutron bremsstrahlung.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of various interactions (electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational) in neutron scattering processes, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the relative strengths and roles of weak and electromagnetic interactions in specific scattering scenarios, as well as the conditions under which these interactions become significant.

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Is there any type interaction between neutron and matter other than strong interaction? When a neutron elastically or inelastically scattered, does the strong interaction still govern the whole process? Thank you!
 
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Does a neutron undergo electromagnetic interaction, due to having nonzero magnetic momentum?

Weak interaction is, well, weak compared to electromagnetic interaction... but electromagnetic interaction of a neutron is also weak because of not having an electric monopole charge.

What is the most important mechanism for elastic scattering between a neutron and an electron (which does not undergo strong interaction) - weak interaction, or electromagnetic interaction?
 
snorkack said:
Does a neutron undergo electromagnetic interaction, due to having nonzero magnetic momentum?
Yes, but the effect is negligible.
snorkack said:
What is the most important mechanism for elastic scattering between a neutron and an electron (which does not undergo strong interaction) - weak interaction, or electromagnetic interaction?
At low energies, both are negligible. At higher energies you get deep inelastic scattering, an interaction of the electron with a quark in the neutron.
 
BvU said:
Yes, you have gravity and weak interaction.
Scattering is here

Yes, there are three more interactions. However, considering the interaction between a neutron and a nucleus, the effect of gravity is negligibly small.
 
The electromagnetic interactions of neutrons are not negligible. They are important in electron neutron scattering, and proton neutron bremstrahlung.
 

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