Physics Question: What is the Role of a Boson in an Atom?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the role of bosons in atomic structure and how they interact with other particles to create forces. Bosons, including gluons, W and Z bosons, and photons, are responsible for holding particles together and creating the electric field. The Higgs boson, which is being studied at CERN, is also mentioned as the particle responsible for mass. The conversation also provides links for further information on elementary particles and the standard model.
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TwixyWay
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~Physics Question!

I spend my weekends reading up on quantum physics. Mostly these forums. I find myself flooded with jargon. So I have a quick little question. I am not taking any courses on physics, I am just really interested.

So an atom is:

Election

Proton-----> Made up of quarks
Neutron---> Made up of quarks


Quarks---> held together by fermions using an exchange

Now my question is, where does a boson fit in here? From what I read, a boson is what keeps the electron "in" the atomic structure. But how? I thought one of the 4 forces kept the electrons from flying out into ether.

Also, if I made any mistakes with the quarks and stuff please correct me.

Thank you!
 
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Bosons are the particles that are exchanged to give a force.
So the quarks are held together by gluons and the protons and neutrons are held in the atom by the strong and weak force which is carried by W and Z bosons.

The electric field (that holds on to the electron ) is carried by photons - another boson

The big experiment at CERN is to try and find the Higgs boson that carries the effect of mass.
 

1. What is a boson?

A boson is a type of subatomic particle that is responsible for carrying forces between particles. It has a spin of either 0 or 1, and follows the rules of Bose-Einstein statistics.

2. How does a boson play a role in an atom?

Bosons are responsible for carrying the fundamental forces within an atom. For example, the photon, which is a type of boson, carries the electromagnetic force that holds electrons in orbit around the nucleus of an atom.

3. Can you give an example of a boson in an atom?

The most well-known example of a boson in an atom is the photon, which carries the electromagnetic force. Other examples include the W and Z bosons, which are responsible for the weak nuclear force, and the gluon, which carries the strong nuclear force.

4. What is the significance of a boson in understanding atomic structure?

Bosons play a crucial role in understanding atomic structure because they are responsible for carrying the fundamental forces that hold atoms together. Understanding the properties and behavior of bosons allows us to better understand how atoms interact and form the building blocks of our world.

5. Are there any practical applications of bosons?

Yes, there are several practical applications of bosons. For example, the development of lasers relies on the properties of bosons. Additionally, scientists are currently studying the potential use of bosons in quantum computing, which could have significant implications for technology and computing in the future.

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