Particles with neutral charges but not affected by the weak or strong force

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of particles that possess a neutral electrical charge and are not influenced by the weak or strong nuclear forces. Participants explore theoretical possibilities and implications of such particles, touching on concepts from particle physics and dark matter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the existence of neutral particles unaffected by the weak or strong forces.
  • Some participants mention W and Z bosons, noting they are charged and act as carriers for the weak force.
  • Dark matter is proposed as a potential candidate for neutral particles, with some suggesting it may be charged under the weak interaction.
  • Concerns are raised about the hypothesis of sterile particles, with one participant arguing that such particles cannot be hypothesized if they cannot be experimentally detected.
  • Another participant suggests that if these particles have mass, their gravitational effects could allow for detection.
  • There is a mention of gauge singlets, which may be detectable through interactions with left-handed neutrinos.
  • Participants express frustration over the complexity of the discussion, indicating that disagreements may arise regardless of the claims made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence or nature of such particles. Multiple competing views are presented, particularly regarding the implications of dark matter and the validity of hypothesizing undetectable particles.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved assumptions about the nature of particles and their detectability, as well as the implications of theoretical models in particle physics.

Einstein's Cat
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Are there any particles which have a neutral electrical charge and are not affected by the weak or strong nuclear force? Thank you for your time and please excuse me if I'm being very ignorant!
 
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There's W and Z bosons if I remember correctly
 
Syndicate said:
There's W and Z bosons if I remember correctly
Cheers very much
 
Syndicate, if you don't know something it is not necessary to reply.

Einstein's Cat, such a particle would be sterile and thus undetectable. You can hypothesize such particles, but you can't experimentally detect them.
 
W particles are charged. W and Z are carriers for weak force.

To answer the original question - dark matter.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Einstein's Cat, such a particle would be sterile and thus undetectable. You can hypothesize such particles, but you can't experimentally detect them.
I would argue against the last sentence here. You cannot hypothesise anything which cannot be experimentally detected within a scientific framework.
 
But if I said there were no such particles someone else would quibble, "but what if there were singlets under all gauge groups?" Sometimes you just can't win.
 
mathman said:
To answer the original question - dark matter.

Of course we don't know for sure, but it is possible - maybe even likely - that DM is charged under the weak interaction.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Syndicate, if you don't know something it is not necessary to reply.

Einstein's Cat, such a particle would be sterile and thus undetectable. You can hypothesize such particles, but you can't experimentally detect them.

If the particles have mass, they could be detected by their gravitational effects.
 
  • #10
Vanadium 50 said:
But if I said there were no such particles someone else would quibble, "but what if there were singlets under all gauge groups?" Sometimes you just can't win.
But gauge singlets (effectively right handed neutrinos) may be detectable (a priori) through Yukawa interactions with left-handed neutrinos.
 
  • #11
And let the quibbling begin!
 

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